Cash on hold, but stem cell work on [California]

Agency president vows to push ahead with research despite lawsuits

Beset by legal woes, California's stem cell institute likely won't see voter-approved funds for another 15 months, yet its president said support for scientific research will continue.
"We are not going into hibernation," said Zach Hall, president of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine. "I am personally determined that we will remain active this year."

In an interview at CIRM's new headquarters in San Francisco overlooking SBC Park, Hall said in 2006 the agency plans to finalize academic and scientific standards, hold several conferences and issue nearly $40 million in training grants announced in the fall.

To do this, and keep administrative operations going, including paying the salaries of 18 staff members, will take a little creative financing, using a combination of loans totalling about $52 million.

As things stand today, the landmark agency that voters in November 2004 overwhelmingly chose to underwrite with $3 billion over 10 years, is set to run out of money June 30.

A lawsuit filed in Alameda County Superior Court bygroups morally opposed toembryonic...