Maine, Interesting article in Wisconsin paper today and GERN has tie's to University of Wisconsin. Do you think this can help or hurt GERN?
State's stem cell limelight may fade
Other places, notably California, are trying to pursue the research
Posted: Feb. 14, 2004
Wisconsin's head start in stem cell research could fade quickly if other states succeed with bold new biotechnology initiatives of their own.
Researchers and biotechnology companies could flock to California if voters approve a bond proposition there intended to pump $3 billion over 10 years into human embryonic stem cell research.
"It's a huge amount of money," said Barbara Lewis, manager of the Wisconsin Stem Cell Research Program. "There is no question they would become the national leader."
Wisconsin has basked in national and international attention since 1998, when University of Wisconsin-Madison researcher James Thomson became the first to isolate human embryonic master cells. These cells are thought to hold the promise of curing diseases that today are incurable.
Along with inspiring dreams of defeating such maladies as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, the biotechnology breakthrough also left Wisconsin officials hopeful that companies would bring laboratories and jobs to the state as they sought access to pioneers of this emerging field.
Wisconsin officials are determined not to yield the state's prominent position to other states sharing the same stem cell aspirations.
Ohio, New Jersey and Pennsylvania are among those seeking major life sciences research programs that could strengthen their stem cell work.
More recently, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty created a bioscience package that would devote millions of dollars to research facilities, tax credits and venture capital in his state. The University of Minnesota, which already has a Stem Cell Institute, recently announced a drive that would expand its work with human embryonic stem cells.
States put up money
The scope of the California proposal is attracting so much attention because it could eclipse all other initiatives.
A coalition that includes Hollywood figures and leading scientists is backing an organization called Californians for Stem Cell Research and Cures. It hopes to present voters with a measure in November that would provide $295 million a year for laboratory projects.
The California campaign has just begun, and it is far from clear whether such an ambitious proposal will be approved in that cash-strapped state.
What is clear is that Wisconsin will face determined competition from states motivated by California's attempt to capitalize on stem cell technology, said Dan Perry, president of the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research.
"It's a bold initiative," Perry said from his Washington, D.C., office. "I think it will inspire other states to emulate it, particularly if it is successful at the polls."
Restrictions on federal funds for stem cell research put in place in 2001 make the state funding efforts particularly notable, he said.
"We are dramatically underfunding the potential of this effort," Perry said.
Because they are derived from embryos that are destroyed in the process, stem cells have attracted controversy. Some states have considered legislation restricting the research.
States like California that pass laws in support of stem cell research, and go further to create a pool of funding, stand to gain a tremendous advantage in attracting leading laboratory teams, Perry said.
"Clearly you want to go to a place where you have an infrastructure where your work can flourish and where you are likely to find funding," Perry said.
Wisconsin has leaders
Wisconsin already has leaders in the stem cell field who continue to produce advances that raise hopes for treating diabetes and damaged hearts, said Andrew Cohn, government and public affairs manager for the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation.
"We have a tremendous head start on a whole variety of states that are now trying to catch up," Cohn said.
At least 30 faculty at the university are actively working with stem cells or moving into the area, according to the university's stem cell research program. The corps of stem cell researchers swells to at least 150 when counting assistants and other staff. These projects attract an estimated $15 million to $20 million a year in grants from federal agencies, research foundations and other private donors.
The WiCell Research Institute, an affiliate of the foundation, has about a dozen more staff members devoted to stem cell work. The institute has distributed stem cells to 150 other research institutions and conducts monthly training sessions on how to work with stem cells.
The foundation, which controls key stem cell patents and oversees technology transfer for UW-Madison, continues to view stem cells as one of the most important innovations in its portfolio. Commercial interest in licensing the technology continues to grow.
No biotechnology companies involved in stem cells have established new labs or offices in Madison, although that remains a likely prospect as the research moves beyond basic science and closer to developing treatments, Cohn said.
More investments to come
Pioneering work with stem cells is an example of the type of internationally renowned research and development that promises to bring Wisconsin high-growth, high-wage businesses, said Cory Nettles, secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Commerce.
"We have significant opportunities to lure additional businesses to Wisconsin that would start up in the biotechnology space," Nettles said.
Wisconsin continues making the investments necessary to maintain its momentum with stem cell research and biotechnology in general, Nettles said.
The $317 million Biostar initiative, which is building new labs necessary to keep and attract top researchers, continues to progress at UW-Madison, Nettles said.
When Gov. Jim Doyle meets with business people and investors from around the world, they often are the first to bring up Wisconsin's prominent stem cell successes, Nettles said.
"It put us on the map in a big way," Nettles said. "We are going to do everything we can to build on that foundation."
