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State should fund vital stem cell research 6/18/2006 I am writing in regard to the article, "Building opens its doors to research, area's future." Along with funding Buffalo's new medical research campus, the State Legislature could help this "symbol of hope" produce future cures by including significant funding for stem cell research in the state budget. Both Democrat and Republican leaders have told advocacy groups that they support this funding, yet neither side has made a concerted effort to resolve differences and get the research funded this year. State funding for this vital medical research is critical for the development of effective treatments and possible cures for the millions of people who suffer from serious, chronic illnesses and injuries, including juvenile diabetes, Parkinson's, spinal cord injuries and cancer. The federal government severely limited funding for embryonic stem-cell research just three years after it was initiated in 1998. As a result, state funding is vitally important to fill this financial void. Recently, California, New Jersey, Connecticut and others have recognized that this is an urgent state issue and have provided funding. New York must do the same in order to retain our most talented scientists and their laboratories. State funding will help guarantee that New York does not lose the scientific base so essential to our prestigious medical institutions, our health care system and our economy. LINDA HERMAN ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn