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LOS ANGELES _ Hoping to eliminate any perceptions of personal financial benefit from the state's $3 billion stem cell initiative, the committee that will distribute the funds adopted interim conflict-of-interest policies yesterday.
Generally, the committee and staff members of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, which will implement the initiative, are now required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest they might have.
Committee members and institute staff also must refrain from participating in discussions that could benefit them or their family financially. There also are rules prohibiting them from taking gifts from anyone who might lobby the oversight committee or apply for grants.
The committee expects to fine-tune the policies in coming months and will include changes suggested by the public, including many discussed yesterday during a dizzying exchange at the oversight committee's monthly meeting in Los Angeles.
Institute President Zach Hall said it is important to have at least interim policies so the committee can begin giving money to researchers. The goal is to make the first grants, which will be for the training of scientists, in September....
Generally, the committee and staff members of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, which will implement the initiative, are now required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest they might have.
Committee members and institute staff also must refrain from participating in discussions that could benefit them or their family financially. There also are rules prohibiting them from taking gifts from anyone who might lobby the oversight committee or apply for grants.
The committee expects to fine-tune the policies in coming months and will include changes suggested by the public, including many discussed yesterday during a dizzying exchange at the oversight committee's monthly meeting in Los Angeles.
Institute President Zach Hall said it is important to have at least interim policies so the committee can begin giving money to researchers. The goal is to make the first grants, which will be for the training of scientists, in September....