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NEW JERSEY: Stem Cell Funding Is Next Fight Local legislators will take the lead in governor's agenda Al Sullivan Reporter senior staff writer 03/14/2004 State representatives from Bayonne, Jersey City, and other municipalities in Hudson County will likely take the lead in fighting to get funding for proposed stem cell research instituted. Last week, Gov. James McGreevey announced that he will budget $6.5 million for the establishing of a stem cell research institute run by Rutgers University and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. This initiative will likely generate significant federal and state opposition since New Jersey will become the first state in the nation to fund stem cell research in defiance of a mandate issued by President George W. Bush that no federal funds be expended for that purpose. "I have made a commitment to embryonic stem cell research," said Assemblyman Louis Manzo, who represents Bayonne and part of Jersey City. "Hudson County has the second largest senior population of any county in America, and this vital research can help find cures for diseases like Alzheimer's Disease, which affects everyone's family." In addressing the issue during his state budget statement, Gov. McGreevey said, "We will boldly go where no state has gone before and become the state for embryonic stem research." Earlier this year, the state legislature, in a dramatic vote, permitted stem cell research to be pursued in New Jersey. The law, according to Jersey City Assemblywoman Joan Quigley (D-32nd Dist.), who was a principal co-sponsor of the original legislation and cosponsor for the current funding legislation as well, allows researchers - private or public - to conduct experiments on stem cells derived from unused human embryos and to replicate these for continuing research. Under the law, people undergoing fertility treatments can donate unwanted extra embryos for scientific research. The law also requires doctors to offer the option to potential parents under fertility treatments. The governor's move would take this one step further and would actually expend state funds in that research effort. Stem cells are important to research because they can be adapted for various uses. The human body has a variety of cells such as those in the heart and other organs, or those that make up nerves, skin and other tissue. Stem cells are at the earliest stage of development before they have progressed to a specific use. Researchers believe manipulation of stem cells may lead to cures that have so far eluded modern medicine. "Not since Jonah Salk has a single act inspired so much hope," said Hoboken Councilman Tony Soares, who as a dwarf, suffers from conditions that could also be addressed by this research. Since all of the legislators from Hudson County voted to approve the original legislation earlier this year, allowing research to be conducted in Hudson, it is expected they will also take the lead in the funding fight. West New York Mayor and State Assembly Speaker Albio Sires (D-33rd Dist), and State Sen. Bernard Kenny, the Democratic Majority Leader (D-33rd Dist.) in the Senate, are expected to shepherd the cause. The state budget item, under the governor's proposal, would set up a matching fund that would match donations of wealthy individuals or corporations. Gov. McGreevey said this would also have an economic side effect with embryonic stem cell research, doing for New Jersey what Silicone Valley's computer research did for California, creating jobs and a being benefit to the state's pharmaceutical industry. "This governor has been laying down bunts for first part of his administration, and this time he went for the fences," said Paul J. Byrne of Jersey City, the chairman for the New Jersey Right to Hope Committee - a lobby group for this research. Byrne is legally blind as a result of diabetes, a disease that could be addressed by such research. Sires said, "I'm very happy the governor decided to put some money into stem cell research. I feel that there are many wonderful possibilities that can come about because of research. This is something that will pay off in ten years, or hopefully sooner. This is a natural hit for New Jersey, because we have a large pharmaceutical industry." SOURCE: The Hoboken Reporter, NJ http://tinyurl.com/35ftm * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn