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Stem cell research comatose as a political issue, or simply comatose?

By Lawrence B. Ebert, Esq.

californiastemcellreport carries text from Jesse Reynolds of the Center for Genetics and Society:

"...(T)he real message from this election cycle is the end of embryonic stem cell research as a relevant political issue. It was huge in 2004, present but marginal in 2006, and seemed comatose with the 2007's failure of New Jersey's stem cell funding initiative. In this cycle, the topic made barely a peep.

"Hopefully now work can proceed in concert with a level-headed conversation about the true potential of stem cell research and the real challenges posed by human reproductive and genetic biotechnologies."

Hmmm, does that mean when "stem cell research" is not a political issue, proponents will no longer misrepresent its potential for short term therapies? Or, does that mean that NJ voters figured out in 2007 that the economy wasn't looking too good, and now everybody has wised up? Except the California taxpayers, who are still dishing out the $3 billion, with little hope of a return.

The report also has text about Ed Penhoet:

Ed Penhoet, one of the co-founders of Chiron, has denied scuttlebutt in the California stem cell community that he is leaving the board of the $3 billion California stem cell agency and is stepping down as its vice chairman

In case you had forgotten about CIRM's IP lawyer who wasn't a registered patent attorney:

"Chiron's chief IP attorney, under whom she worked, was a strong and insightful patent portfolio strategist, so she probably has good experience from working with him."

Full post as published by IPBiz on November 11, 2008 (boomark / email).