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California's $3 Bln Stem Cell Project Is Legal, Judge Says April 21 (Bloomberg) -- A state judge said a $3 billion taxpayer-funded stem cell research program in California can sell bonds to fund research that some believe may lead to cures for diabetes, Alzheimer's and other diseases. State Court Judge Bonnie Lewman Sabraw in Hayward tentatively said the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine was under state control, a prerequisite for being able to spend taxpayer money. The ruling, if upheld, will allow the California program to become the largest source of funding for stem cell research in the nation. The program, which was approved by a majority of California voters in 2004, would provide $300 million annually for 10 years to state universities and private companies. People's Advocate, a taxpayer group, and the California Family Bioethics Council, an anti-abortion group, sued the institute, saying it couldn't spend public money because it wasn't under direct state control and its membership rules violated conflict of interest laws. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn