Wisconsin losing stem cell opportunity

Wisconsin, a pioneer in stem cell research, is in danger of being left in the dust as researchers head for states with a friendly political climate for their work.

It will be a shame if that happens, but it is all but guaranteed if the Republican-run legislature continues to dance to the tune of the evangelical right wing.

Jamie Thomson at UW-Madison had the scientific breakthrough that isolated embryonic stem cells, which many believe will be the gateway to finding cures for diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, juvenile diabetes, spinal cord injuries, and others. Wisconsin had the potential to lead the nation in such research and discoveries.

Gov. Jim Doyle recognized that and proposed to invest $750 million in biotechnology, including $375 million for an Institute of Discovery at UW-Madison. Chances of that happening seem slim and none, given that the GOP-run legislature has even told companies doing stem cell research they can't apply for state research and development grants.

Meanwhile, the NY Times' Nicholas Wade reports: "Up and down the East Coast, stem cell researchers are feeling the tug of a powerful, invisible force. It is a wave of recruiting calls from institutions in California seeking to expand their research programs with help from Proposition 71, the state's $3 billion stem cell initiative."

Some of the benefits will trickle down to Wisconsin, because the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) holds patents on two stem cell lines that others will use for research. But the double whammy of President Bush's opposition and the stand taken by the state legislature won't make Wisconsin attractive for many researchers. We are lucky we to retain Jamie Thomson.

UPDATE: Yet another reputable statewide poll shows overwhelming support among Wisconsin residents for embryonic stem cell research and for expanded federal funding. Results.