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SACRAMENTO - Public interest critics of California's new stem cell institute, which was created by Proposition 71, welcomed a reform proposal announced today by Senators Deborah Ortiz and George Runner.

"The voters of California passed Proposition 71 based on promises of widely available cures, high ethical standards, and public accountability. They did not vote for throwing out laws that prevent secret meetings and guard against conflicts of interest," said Marcy Darnovsky, associate executive director of the Center for Genetics and Society. "We're glad to see the Senators stepping up to protect Californians, who are the investors in this multi-billion dollar experiment."

The Center for Genetics and Society and the Pro-choice Alliance for Responsible Research - who both support embryonic stem cell research but were prominent critics of Proposition 71 both before and after the recent campaign - expressed their support and optimism for the proposal's passage.

"The Ortiz-Runner proposal will bring the public accountability and openness that the authors of Proposition 71 deliberately left out," added Susan Berke Fogel, director of the Pro-Choice Alliance for Responsible Research. A moratorium on multiple egg extraction is critical to protect women's health, as long-term effects of the drugs used are yet not known."

The legislators' announcement follows last week's joint informational hearing on implementation of Proposition 71, chaired by Senator Ortiz and Assemblymember Wilma Chan. The hearing addressed many of the issues that have been raised by public interest critics, including conflicts of interest, open meetings, egg extraction, diversity in employment and hiring, health disparities, and financial returns to California.

"I hope that the leadership of the Institute realizes that this proposal will strengthen - not hinder - their work," said Jesse Reynolds, program director at the Center for Genetics and Society. "The Institute must retain the confidence of the voters to be effective."

For more information, see http://www.genetics-and-society.org/policies/california/ .

Contact:
Jesse Reynolds
510-625-0819 x308

Susan Berke Fogel
818-621-7358
818-621-7358