Under the measure, which will appear on the Nov. 2 statewide ballot as Proposition 71, the California Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative, organized by the Californians for Stem Cell Research and Cures, would provide $295 million in state funds annually for 10 years to California schools, institutes and companies that conduct embryonic stem cell research.

The initiative would provide grants and loans to organizations that use stem cells derived from human embryos that are less than two weeks old. The measure also would create a 29-member panel -- appointed by the governor, University of California chancellors and other officials -- that would determine allocation of the grants, which would be provided only to California organizations.

If the ballot measure is successful, California would become the first state to publicly fund embryonic stem cell research, which some scientists believe could lead to treatments for diabetes, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis and other diseases. However, some opponents say the research is immoral because it requires the destruction of human embryos.

The California Republican Party at its state convention earlier this month voted to oppose the measure, saying that it would end up costing the state $6 billion over 10 years because of the additional $3 billion the state would have to pay in interest (Kaiser Daily Reproductive Health Report, 8/16).

Joe Cerrell, spokesperson for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, said that Gates made the contribution because he "believes in the promise of science and research and development to create new ways to improve health and well being around the world," according to the AP/Mercury News.

Other Contributions

The campaign to support Proposition 71 so far has raised more than $12 million, the AP/Mercury News reports. Omar Omidyar, founder of eBay, and his wife have donated $1 million to the campaign, according to the AP/Mercury News.

According to campaign records filed last week, Sen. John Corzine (D-N.J.) has contributed $100,000 to the campaign, and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation recently contributed $500,000, bringing the foundation's total contributions to the campaign to $1 million (Ventura County Star, 8/24).

The campaign to defeat the initiative -- Doctors, Patients & Taxpayers for Fiscal Responsibility -- has raised approximately $15,000, according to the AP/Mercury News (AP/San Jose Mercury News, 8/25).

http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_repro.cfm#25471