by
TXX: Scientific rivalry between the states has always been fierce. But according to Karin Duncker, executive director of the New York Biotechnology association, California's 3 billion dollar investment in stem cell research just upped the ante. (:11)
AXX: Everyone wants to be the leading state for biotechnology. So now, the other states are scrambling to be able to compete. ((:10))
TXX: New Jersey already has plans to build a stem cell institute this summer - and is looking for voter approval for another 230 million in additional funds. Connecticut, Wisconsin, and Illinois are close on their heels. Last month, Democratic leaders in New York's State Senate put forward their own billion dollar proposal. David Paterson, the Democratic senate leader, called for the creation of a state stem cell institute. The program would regulate research and give grants to scientists and companies. It's not just a matter of protecting scientific prestige. According to Jonathan Bowles of the Center for an Urban Future, biomedical research is vital to the health of New York's economy. ((:30))
AXX/Bowles - A lot of times the biomedical research in these institutions leads to commercial ventures that ends up creating jobs. These are high wage industries that are not only important for the cities economy and tax base but they allow the city to continue to attract top researchers in the science field. ((:22))
TXX: New York is also anxious not to lose the scientists they already have. Duncker says the buzz around California's new program is a big concern to top New York research institutions who worry about a potential brain drain. ((:10))
AXX/Duncker: It's fairly well known in the industry, that leading scientists in stem cell research are all being courted. And their all looking at that and saying, yes, this is interesting. If I want to make a move, maybe I want to go where there's going to be all this money invested in research. ((:20))
TXX: But even with these economic incentives, stem cell research remains a contentious issue and advocates acknowledge that it may be difficult for New York politicians, even if they support the measure, to find the money for the program in an already overstrained state budget. If the billion dollar proposal manages to get through the legislature, it still has to be approved by Governor George Pataki and New York voters. ((:17))
I'm Jackie Bell - Columbia Radio News.