Stem Cell Gold Rush

Connecticut and a handful of other states are funding human embryonic stem cell research on their own, in reaction to the federal stalemate. Unfortunately, there are signs that Connecticut's $100 million program is rushing forward in a reckless and haphazard way, risking not just millions of taxpayer dollars but the reputation of a line of research that could alleviate suffering.

Although last summer's law creating the program has some admirable points, its key flaw is the composition of the grant-awarding committee. The law's requirements mean that two-thirds of the committee members are involved in stem cell research and likely to be interested in grants themselves.

For example, the board includes Xiangzhong "Jerry" Yang, the state's premier stem cell researcher. Last year, he threatened to move his work to China if the state did not pass the funding bill. Once he was on the committee, he made it clear that he'd be seeking big bucks. He's now applied for $5 million - from his own committee.

Moreover, because Connecticut has only two research universities, conflicts of interest are built in: Committee...