Governor Rell Signs Law Establishing Stem Cell Research Fund, Ban on Human Cloning

Governor Rell Signs Law Establishing Stem Cell Research Fund, Ban on Human Cloning

Governor M. Jodi Rell today signed into law An Act Permitting Stem Cell Research and Banning the Cloning of Human Beings, which establishes a 10-year, $100 million fund to encourage stem cell research in Connecticut.

"Stem cells hold tremendous promise," Governor Rell said. "Promise for the future of medicine, promise for the future of humanity, promise for the future of Connecticut - all these are contained within a tiny speck. It is only right that Connecticut, home to a thriving bioscience industry and two of the finest research universities in the world, should stake its claim to a role in this research.

"There are great breakthroughs ahead," the Governor said. "Make no mistake - much research and countless hours of hard work will precede those breakthroughs. There will be disappointments - but there will be great triumphs as well. During it all Connecticut will be leading the way, providing a place where this research can be done safely, ethically and effectively - and providing a place where people will want to be, not just for our research facilities but for the quality of life we enjoy.

"This fund is a catalyst, intended to attract other investments and generate opportunities for growth," Governor Rell said. "It makes obvious sense from an economic standpoint as well as a medical and scientific view. The growth of the bioscience industry in Connecticut has been critical to our state's economy, with pharmaceutical and biotech companies employing some 18,000 people. We intend to build on that leadership role."

The new law establishes a ban on human cloning and sets guidelines for the way embryos, embryonic stem cells, unfertilized eggs and sperm are donated. It also establishes a nine-member Stem Cell Research Advisory Committee responsible for administering grants from the research fund in consultation with the Commissioner of the Department of Public Health, and a five-member Stem Cell Research Peer Review

Committee responsible for reviewing grant applications and making recommendations to DPH and the advisory committee on their ethical and scientific merits.

The research fund is established with $20 million from the current budget year surplus, to be used in fiscal years 2006 and 2007, and will be supplemented with $10 million a year from the Tobacco Settlement Fund in fiscal years 2008 to 2015.

http://www.ct.gov/governorrell/cwp/view.asp?Q=294840&A=1761