progressreport.org
2/24/2005
STEM CELLS -- CALIF. CONSERVATIVES SUE TO HALT RESEARCH: Finally, some
truly frivolous lawsuits. Two conservative groups have filed suits
"seeking to invalidate the $3 billion stem cell research
(http://www.forbes.com/home/feeds/ap/2005/02/22/ap1842947.html) funding
institution" that California voters enthusiastically approved last
November. A spokeswoman for the institute brushed off the charges, saying
the "proposition's passage demonstrated that a majority of voters 'felt
comfortable that there was ample oversight and accountability,'" the
Associate Press reports. It's no wonder the suits aren't being taken
seriously. One, for instance, says the proposition illegally exempts
institute members of conflict-of-interest laws since "it allows members to
vote on awarding research grants that directly address diseases they or
their family members may have," the AP notes. "At least three members
have debilitating illnesses such as Parkinson's disease and multiple
sclerosis."