US stem cell research: "CTs in 10 years"

Human embryonic stem cell research efforts in the USA, which cannot receive federal funding but are supported by the states of Massachusetts and California, has shown no signs of producing rapid results. According to media reports in the USA, the slow pace of research in the latter state could influence negatively the current debate in New England as to whether to renew spending in the field.

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick (Democrat) has proposed the allocation of $1.0 billion in life sciences research. Speaking to the Boston Globe, Alan Tronson, the president of the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine, described himself as "hopeful" that some stem cell drugs will be in clinical trials within 10 years. The USA's most heavily-populated state approved by popular referendum, a proposal to allocate $3.0 billion in funding for a stem cell research institute which, unlike the Massachusetts scheme, cannot be used for other R&D areas, California Healthline reported.

One factor that could influence lawmakers in Massachusetts is whether the federal ban on funding for human stem cell research is likely to be overturned in the near future. The outgoing President, George W Bush, has twice vetoed attempts by the Congress to authorize federal funding (Marketletters passim).