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DEL.ICIO.USStem cell salvage operation
Governor to create a blood bank intended to aid research, despite bill's failure
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
On Friday, Gov. Sonny Perdue will do by executive order much of what S.B. 596, which failed in the final minutes of the 2006 Legislature, would have done for stem cell research in Georgia.
Most importantly, Perdue will announce the establishment of a bank for umbilical cord blood, to encourage potentially life-saving, non-embryonic stem cell research — the kind that everyone agrees is a good thing.
One small clue to Perdue’s intentions is the fact that the governor has included in the day’s ceremonies state Sen. David Shafer (R-Duluth), author of S.B. 596.
But a larger tip-off comes from a member of Georgia’s scientific community, who tells us that, yes, the governor intends to announce the creation of a stem cell bank. And a commission to over see it, made up of movers and shakers in the state’s embryonic (pardon the pun) biomedical industry.
This last part is important. Though they didn’t oppose the bill that died, an earlier version unsettled some medical researchers. Scratch that. It scared the bejeezus out of them.
A state-sponsored commission on the subject would insure that science has a seat at the table when the topic comes up again next year.
The unanswered question is what kind of funding the stem cell bank will have. That, say researchers, is the truest indication of commitment.
Comments
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By NICHOLAS
April 14, 2006 12:56 AM | Link to this
Cord blood is rich in stem cells that can be used to save lives without destroying life. Cord blood is the newborn baby’s gift to the world. It should be collected, stored and use.
Praise be to Governor Perdue and Senator Shafer for this noble undertaking. It is fitting that it should be announced on Good Friday.
By Dave
April 14, 2006 11:27 AM | Link to this
I generally dislike Perdue, but this is a smart thing to do. Now go build the Northern Arc!
By Johnny
April 14, 2006 12:12 PM | Link to this
Governor Perdue is the best! Go Sonny.
By Sam
April 14, 2006 03:36 PM | Link to this
Way to go Sonny! Thank you David for continuing your effort!
By Jane
April 14, 2006 08:28 PM | Link to this
Cord Blood stem cells a common sense solution.