Election Outcome Boosts Embryonic Stem Cell Work

[DeepModem Mom]

NYT/Reuters: Election Outcome Boosts Embryonic Stem Cell Work
By REUTERS
Published: November 13, 2006

KANSAS CITY, Missouri (Reuters) - The religious protesters are gone and expansion plans are back on track at a top Kansas City stem-cell research lab after Missouri voters endorsed the controversial field in last week's elections.

With some $2 billion in private funding, and a team of international scientists already at work, the Stowers Institute for Medical Research now sees mostly clear sailing as it seeks stem-cell treatments for illnesses ranging from Alzheimer's disease to multiple sclerosis.

Passage of the amendment to the state constitution was a turning point, supporters say, as voters across the United States elected stem-cell research proponents and shifted political power in Washington away from Republicans and President Bush, a chief opponent of the research.

``We're all optimistic. This demonstrates that elected representatives do not have to be held hostage by a minority of conservatives on the religious right,'' said Stowers CEO William Neaves, whose wife has Parkinson's disease.

Emboldened state and federal lawmakers, patient advocacy groups and medical researchers are already increasing efforts to advance the research, including a planned push for the 2007 Congress to provide federal funding....

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/washington/politics-usa-elections-stemcells.html