CGS-authored
A watchdog group issued a critique Wednesday of the state's 1-year-old stem-cell research institute, calling it ``a great disappointment so far.''
But a spokeswoman for the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, which voters approved in November 2004, called the report a rehash of old criticisms and insisted the agency has made great strides despite having its $3 billion in financing held up by two lawsuits.
The report by an Oakland-based non-profit advocacy group, the Center for Genetics and Society, criticized the stem-cell research program for what it called ``numerous missteps and misjudgments, resistance to legislative and public oversights and a tendency towards arrogance in the face of criticism.'' It also called for the institute's chairman, Robert Klein, to resign.
The center -- which favors public financing of embryonic stem-cell research but has frequently criticized California's program -- said the stem-cell institute has been slow to adopt policies to ensure its research is done ethically.
It also claimed the institute hasn't done enough to make sure any treatments it develops are affordable and to minimize the potential for conflict of interest...
But a spokeswoman for the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, which voters approved in November 2004, called the report a rehash of old criticisms and insisted the agency has made great strides despite having its $3 billion in financing held up by two lawsuits.
The report by an Oakland-based non-profit advocacy group, the Center for Genetics and Society, criticized the stem-cell research program for what it called ``numerous missteps and misjudgments, resistance to legislative and public oversights and a tendency towards arrogance in the face of criticism.'' It also called for the institute's chairman, Robert Klein, to resign.
The center -- which favors public financing of embryonic stem-cell research but has frequently criticized California's program -- said the stem-cell institute has been slow to adopt policies to ensure its research is done ethically.
It also claimed the institute hasn't done enough to make sure any treatments it develops are affordable and to minimize the potential for conflict of interest...