PROPOSITION 71: STEM CELL RESEARCH

In the November 2, 2004 general election, California voters approved Proposition 71 by a vote of 59%.   The initiative established a $3 billion bond measure to establish the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) that will fund stem cell research in the state of California.   Click here for a summary of the initiative, or here to access the full text of Proposition 71 .

Now that Proposition 71 has passed, the University of California has been actively involved in its implementation.   On November 17, 2004, UC announced the appointment of executive officers from its five medical center campuses to serve on the 29-member Independent Citizens Oversight Commission (ICOC) that will govern the stem cell research institute established by Proposition 71.   Additionally, Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante appointed UC Berkeley Chancellor Robert J. Birgeneau to the ICOC as one of the four other California university representatives that will serve on the commission.  A complete list of the ICOC members may be found here.  

Information about the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), including information about meetings of the ICOC, can be cound at CIRM's website.

National Academy of Sciences Workshop

On December 6 and 7, 2004, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) hosted a two-day "Best Practices Workshop for the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine" to assist in planning the implementation of Proposition 71 at the Beckman Center Auditorium in Irvine California.   Sponsored by the California Research and Cures Coalition, the event drew participants from the NAS, researchers and other key stakeholders from around the state.

Further information about the NAS event, including links to the agenda and presentations can be found here.

Click here to see a complete agenda of the NAS event.   Below are links to presentations by the speakers and panelists.