Opinion: Stem cell institute misses chance

A SO-CALLED "working group" of out-of-state scientists and patient advocate members of California's stem cell oversight committee goes behind closed doors in San Francisco for three days starting today to decide who they think should get $80 million in taxpayer funds for stem cell research over the next four years.

In the next decade the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) plans to dole out $3 billion in taxpayer money to support the state's stem cell researchers.

Everyone concerned claims they want a transparent process to ensure that awards are based on scientific merit, not favoritism and cronyism. Despite mouthing high-minded slogans, the institute's leaders too frequently miss the mark whenever there is a clear opportunity to build faith in its processes by being completely open.

In California we don't know who applied for the grants or their affiliations. Our stem cell institute need only look to Connecticut where applicants' names and pertinent details are public record for a model of how to conduct the public's business.

Fortunately at least one California scientist understands the importance of a completely transparent...