There are several proposals related to biomedical research pending consideration in the New York legislature. Two bills, introduced last year by Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Senator Nicholas Spano, would establish multiyear stem cell research funds of $300 million and $125 million
respectively. The Assembly passed its version of the bill on January 10, by a vote of 96-35. On January 26, Governor George Pataki and Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno announced a $200 million public-private initiative to support biomedical research and biotech business development.
"Governor Pataki, Senator Bruno, and Speaker Silver are to be commended for their leadership and recognition that biomedical research is a critical component of New York's 21st-century economy," says Seligman. "This is particularly the case in upstate cities such as Rochester, which are becoming increasingly dependent upon the employment and commercial opportunities that spring from university research, especially in the field of medicine.
"It is important to understand that the future of biomedical research and stem cell science are inexorably linked. Scientists at the Medical Center are making significant contributions to the field of stem cell science and are conducting research that has the potential to lead to new regenerative therapies for spinal cord injury, Parkinson's, heart disease, and cancer, to name a few. With state support, we will strengthen our universities' leadership in the field of biomedical research, create new companies and jobs, and develop technologies that have the potential to improve the lives of millions of Americans.
"However, if the state fails to act, universities will begin to lose their best and brightest scientists and our capacity to serve as engines of innovation for the state's growing biotechnology and pharmaceutical sector will rapidly decline."
For more details on the report and statements from university presidents and leaders supporting the study, visit www. rochester.edu/news/show.php?id=2420.
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Report: Expand stem cell research in NY
eaders of New York's major research universities and institutions, including President Seligman, called upon lawmakers in Albany to act quickly to
establish a state fund to support stem cell research. On February 8, presidents and chancellors representing 17 New York universities and institutions with substantial biomedical and life sciences research programs released a comprehensive analysis of the scientific, therapeutic, and economic
issues related to stem cell research. The study, titled "New York and Stem Cell Research," details the competitive research
environment that has emerged in the past
several years and its implications for the state's biomedical research community and economy.
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