CGS-authored
Robert Klein II, the self-appointed czar of California's quasi-public, $3 billion stem cell research program, is facing serious challenges these days. The barbarians are banging on the fortress gates, and even some members of his loyal retinue are starting to raise questions.
Two groups have filed lawsuits contesting certain provisions of Proposition 71, the Klein-penned law that created the Institute for Regenerative Medicine. One lawsuit contends Proposition 71 violates the California Constitution by giving a select group - the Independent Citizens Oversight Committee - the authority to spend state dollars without oversight from elected officials.
Separate from those lawsuits, attorney Charles Halpern and Dr. Philip Lee, a previous U.S. assistant secretary for health, have filed a petition asking the oversight committee to set conflict-of-interest rules and create open advisory meetings before doling out hundreds of millions of dollars.
Out of deference, the 29-member oversight committee has so far allowed Klein to handle such challenges. That is starting to change.
During Tuesday's meeting at Stanford University, Klein asked the committee for sole authority to respond to the petition, with no discussion...
Two groups have filed lawsuits contesting certain provisions of Proposition 71, the Klein-penned law that created the Institute for Regenerative Medicine. One lawsuit contends Proposition 71 violates the California Constitution by giving a select group - the Independent Citizens Oversight Committee - the authority to spend state dollars without oversight from elected officials.
Separate from those lawsuits, attorney Charles Halpern and Dr. Philip Lee, a previous U.S. assistant secretary for health, have filed a petition asking the oversight committee to set conflict-of-interest rules and create open advisory meetings before doling out hundreds of millions of dollars.
Out of deference, the 29-member oversight committee has so far allowed Klein to handle such challenges. That is starting to change.
During Tuesday's meeting at Stanford University, Klein asked the committee for sole authority to respond to the petition, with no discussion...