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Legislator's stance could hurt research and state economy By Tribune editorial board . State Sen. Scott Fitzgerald of Juneau, Wis., wants state officials to put stem cell research in a different building - or at least behind different walls - from other kinds of scientific research. His reasoning is that because embryonic stem cell research is funded privately because of concerns by some that it requires the destruction of the embryos, it should be clearly separated from other types of research that are funded through state taxpayer money. Unfortunately, his micromanaging of University of Wisconsin research could have the effect of discouraging such research here in Wisconsin. Medical research done at the University of Wisconsin - including stem-cell research - can lead to cures and new therapies for a variety of diseases. It also can help stimulate the economy and create new economic opportunities for this state at a time when there is considerable pressure and competition from other states. At issue is the UW's proposed Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery, which is being funded in part from a $50 million private donation. UW officials say they will separate research activities that are funded through private donations from research funded by state money. But Fitzgerald is unhappy with the proposed design of the new facility, because he does not believe it adequately separates the two functions. In an Opinion page column in Saturday's Wisconsin State Journal (a sister newspaper to the Tribune), Fitzgerald wrote: "The university's latest plans call for the state to build two separate facilities ... This sounds good in principle, but under their plan both facilities will exist under the same roof and be connected by walkways and an atrium. To claim these are separate and distinct operations is as false as saying that the state Assembly and Senate have no contact with one another because they're in separate wings of the Capitol with the Rotunda between them." Does Fitzgerald really expect that researchers who are doing publicly funded work should not talk with colleagues whose work is privately funded? Biotechnology is, as Fitzgerald noted in his column, "a growing part of our state's economy." Unfortunately, his effort to interfere with plans for the new facility could hurt Wisconsin's research future and discourage donors from contributing the money to make new research possible in Wisconsin. . ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn