Group wants head of stem cell initiative to quit

A public watchdog group called yesterday for the chairman of the board overseeing California's stem cell initiative to step down for allegedly misusing his position "in ways that have significantly undermined the (public's) trust and confidence."

The Center for Genetics and Society accused stem cell Chairman Robert Klein of misleading the public about the financial return and health benefits it would receive in return for its $3 billion investment in stem cell research.

In a scathing report analyzing the initiative's first year, the center said the oversight board has failed to adopt policies that would ensure Californians are guaranteed access to affordable therapies that might be developed with their tax dollars.

The center, which has been a constant critic of the initiative, said Klein's departure alone would not address the many problems with the implementation of the initiative. But the report said it would "open the door for the accountable and responsible leadership that is prerequisite for the needed changes."

The center gave the stem cell program an overall grade of C-minus for its first year. Klein got a D...