Stem cell research: cutting-edge science or corporate subsidies, courtesy of voters?

The organizations created to fund stem cell research in California announced
their first grants last week, despite the fact that the money is held up in
lawsuits. But are they rushing to further science or escape politics?
Last fall, voters approved a stem cell initiative, Proposition 71, by a
59-41 percent margin. Ten months later, the $3 billion in bonds voters
approved are tied up in lawsuits by Republican and anti-abortion groups who
oppose embryonic stem cell research.

Yet, in the long-run, the organizations created by Prop. 71--the Independent
Citizen_s Oversight Committee and the California Institute for Regenerative
Medicine--may have more to worry about from their original allies. A
coalition of Democratic skeptics has put forth a message more likely to gain
traction: You can support stem cell research and still oppose the results of
Prop. 71.

"The debate was framed as being a referendum on stem cell research and
whether you support President Bush," said Jesse Reynolds of the Center for
Genetics and Society. "California voters didn_t approve this as a corporate
subsidy."

Reynolds_ message has gotten support in...