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The $3 billion boondoggle for stem cell research continues to show it is a slush fund for the special interests.
"If anyone needed proof that the state’s $3-billion stem cell research agency is highly politicized, the Los Angeles Times reported this week that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger re-nominated Silicon Valley real estate investor Robert Klein to continue as chairman of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine - but only after Alan Bernstein withdrew his name from consideration immediately following the Times story,
According to scientists with biomedical experience and familiar with the stem cell agency, while Bernstein was the panel chairman of the “independent” external assessment committee, it appears Klein was actively working to anoint Bernstein his successor. The Times story reports, “But his preferred successor, Canadian researcher Alan Bernstein, withdrew his name from consideration late Wednesday as the deadline neared for the governor to nominate a replacement.” I would have preferred if Dr. Bernstein had been able to be nominated, but it’s an honor to serve this agency,” Klein said Thursday.”
The CIRM appears to be a tangled web of special interests, going all the way back six years to the initial ballot campaign in 2004. And now it is reported that board members have conflicts of interest because of connections to the universities and research enterprises receiving grant money from the CIRM."
This is not about medical research; it is about funding preferred universities and scientists. They act not in the public interest; they are acting like highly educated union leaders.
Oh, the $3 billion bond? Actually it is $6 billion--when you include the interest payments. Corruption is found in all government agencies.
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"If anyone needed proof that the state’s $3-billion stem cell research agency is highly politicized, the Los Angeles Times reported this week that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger re-nominated Silicon Valley real estate investor Robert Klein to continue as chairman of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine - but only after Alan Bernstein withdrew his name from consideration immediately following the Times story,
According to scientists with biomedical experience and familiar with the stem cell agency, while Bernstein was the panel chairman of the “independent” external assessment committee, it appears Klein was actively working to anoint Bernstein his successor. The Times story reports, “But his preferred successor, Canadian researcher Alan Bernstein, withdrew his name from consideration late Wednesday as the deadline neared for the governor to nominate a replacement.” I would have preferred if Dr. Bernstein had been able to be nominated, but it’s an honor to serve this agency,” Klein said Thursday.”
The CIRM appears to be a tangled web of special interests, going all the way back six years to the initial ballot campaign in 2004. And now it is reported that board members have conflicts of interest because of connections to the universities and research enterprises receiving grant money from the CIRM."
This is not about medical research; it is about funding preferred universities and scientists. They act not in the public interest; they are acting like highly educated union leaders.
Oh, the $3 billion bond? Actually it is $6 billion--when you include the interest payments. Corruption is found in all government agencies.
More...