NEBRASKA DECISION: Resolution to Ban Embryonic Stem Cell Research?

Friday, November 20th, Religious Right forces will attempt to impose their beliefs on the state of Nebraska. If they win, embryonic stem cell research will be banned at the University of Nebraska, (NU)— the only place large enough to do the research.

As you know, right to life groups had already agreed to a compromise law: LB 606, signed by every legislator in that state, and which was supposed to have settled the issue.

In exchange for major concessions and advantages given away by the pro-research side (no SCNT or therapeutic cloning, also no new stem cell lines made in the state, even a half-million dollar annual grant given to the Religious Right’s research of choice, adult stem cell research) the religious right groups agreed to back off on further anti-research legislation.

It was a harsh law, very restrictive. But at least it was something (we thought) that would let the researchers work without fear of further harassment.

Unfortunately: as soon the anti-research forces got their law, they immediately shifted their attack– to the only place in the state that could actually do the research.

If they can block embryonic stem cell research at NU, they will have succeeded with their original goal of blocking the research in the entire state, and all this talk of “compromise” will be revealed as an empty joke.

Technically, they did not break their word. Technically.

But it reminds me of another joke: remember the one about the Russians and the Americans having an athletic contest?

According to the story, the Russians had a two-way contest with America, some sports event with only two countries entered. Russia lost; America won.

But the Russian press release said: “Russian athletes perform brilliantly, finish strong second. American athletes do terribly, finish next to last.”

That press release was technically accurate. But its planned impact was otherwise.

Similarly, the Nebraska Religious Right did not break its carefully worded official promise—like a nation which signs a peace treaty, promising to end its war of bow and arrows and then shifts to machine guns instead—but there was a point of honor here.

The bill (LB 606) was supposed to settle the issue for the state. It was a compromise. It was carefully worked out, with the full involvement of the Religious Right groups in the state. It involved major restrictions on the research—but it could have been lived with.

It was peace.

And then the peace was violated by this new assault.

Personally, although an outsider to the state, I supported LB 606. I thought it was a reasonable compromise, though at the very edge of acceptability–and I backed it. Every great step forward is a compromise, and I supported this one. I felt it might be even be a useful example, an olive branch between two sides.

People in the middle can shake hands; extremists never can.

And then this happens?

Personally, if I were a member of the Religious Right, (which obviously I am not) I would be on the phone right now, recommending that the move against the University of Nebraska be stopped: because it poisons the well for chances for future cooperation.

But of course they are not taking my advice. Here is how they will try to block the research.

They essentially claim ownership of the board of Regents of the University of Nebraska. Before the election, the Right to Life groups passed out a form, detailing their positions. If you wanted their support (which may swing 5% of the votes in a close election), you must agree to their demands. Apparently, a majority signed that political agreement.

Now, the Religious Right issued their commands:  ordering the board to ban the research—shutting down the research they could not defeat in law.

Four Regents, all of whom received the Right to Life endorsement, wrote the resolution.

Four of eight. One more vote, and they can impose their policy. Who is that one man?

His name is Jim McClurg. Whatever he decides in the end, he deserves credit for courage. When offered a chance to co-author the resolution (and give it the fifth vote, which would have imposed it on the state) he declined, saying:

“There’s a lot of good people on both sides of this issue who have heartfelt opinions on it. I’ll decide once I’ve heard what everybody has to say.”

—World Herald Bureau, Leslie Reed, “Stem Cells to Face Vote”, November 13, 2009

The religious right is putting enormous pressure on Mr. McClurg. They have publicly posted his name, email, and phone number, and encouraged their members to call him.  This is dirty pool, political bullying of the worst sort.

How would you like to have a bunch of religious enthusiasts calling your home, day and night?

As for the resolution itself, it is two pages of rationalization, trying to put as good a face as possible on the theft of research from a state.

Here is the only part that matters.

“…no research with stem cells derived from human embryos may be conducted unless the stem cell lines used in the research were derived prior to 8 p.m. Central Standard Time, on August 9, 2001….”

In other words, defy the Obama NIH guidelines, and go back the Bush era restrictions.

This is an extremist position: out of touch not only with the beliefs of Nebraskans ( NU President J.B. Milliken estimates that between 2/3 and ¾ of all Nebraskans support embryonic stem cell research) but also with the State’s government, the official state policy, America’s current policy and much more.

If the board obeys the right-to-life command, they will be overriding a carefully worked-out policy signed by all 48 Nebraska state legislators (Democrats and Republicans unanimously voted yes on LB 606, the compromise legislation), and the Governor of the State Dave Heineman, who signed that bill into law.

The policy also ignores the expert opinion of virtually the entire scientific community.

Do I exaggerate? Let me prove my point, two ways: 

First, remember the national law, HR 3, the  bi-partisan Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (Castle,DeGette), to allow federal funding for stem cell lines made from left-over blastocysts, which would otherwise have been thrown away after In Vitro Fertility (IVF) procedures.

Who was against it? Here is the official list of organizations which opposed this bill.

GROUPS AGAINST the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act:

The following list was obtained from the RSC Republican Study Committee, Rep. Jeb Hensnarling, (R-TX), Chairman, 132 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515.Legislative Bulletin, January 10, 2007

“National Right to Life Committee, US Conference of Catholic Bishops, Family Research Council, Christian Coalition , Concerned Women for America, Focus on the Family, Christian Medical Association, Eagle Forum, Traditional Values Coalition, Southern Baptist Convention, Susan B. Anthony List, Republican National Committee for Life, Cornerstone Policy Research, Culture of Life Foundation, Religious Freedom Coalition, Coral Ridge Ministries, Center For Reclaiming America.”

End quote.

How many scientific groups do you see up there? How many patient groups? How many medical groups, disease advocacy groups, research groups–— there aren’t any. The opposition was entirely conservative religious/ideological political organizations.

And this, I strongly suspect, is what you would find if you made a list of those groups that are trying to kill the research at the college.

Point Two: Which groups support embryonic stem cell research?  That group is huge, far too large to fit comfortable in this small column. A part of it is included at the bottom of the page.

But if you want to really see the vast level of support, here is a website to visit.

Alliance for Stem Cell Research is a group I worked with to help pass Proposition 71, which funds stem cell research in California, the largest source of embryonic stem cell research funding in the world.

If you push control/click on it, and go to “coalition”, you will see the really astonishing levels of American support for embryonic stem cell research.

If the Nebraska University Board of Regents caves in to the religious right, it will have a long term negative effect on the state. Jobwise, Nebraska will be denied opportunities open to the rest of the country. In humanitarian costs, the nation will be denied Nebraska’s contribution to the advancement of medical science.

But right now, think of just one child, growing up in Nebraska today, maybe dreaming of becoming a scientist, to help heal suffering and save lives through medical research.

If this backwards resolution is passed, the only advice I could give to that child would be:

Leave Nebraska.

Folks, there is a lot more I could say, but time is running short. The decision will be made this Friday, in Lincoln, Nebraska. If you have an opinion, voice it now, or forever hold your peace.

Here is how you can be heard.

Below is a short piece I found on the web, from a champion athlete of Nebraska. (Please note that he has no connection with any of my opinions.)  I am running it without the pictures, to save space.

Protect Research in Nebraska

I’m Rik Bonness and these are our sons, Eric and Beau.

Both of our sons have Type 1 diabetes. They have lived with tens of thousands of finger pricks, insulin shots and constant worry over signs of retina or nerve damage or kidney failure. We believe someday there will be a cure for diabetes.

As an All-American center at the University of Nebraska, I was expected to give 100% every minute of every game.

And that’s what we need to do here in Nebraska when it comes to research. Stemcell research – including embryonic stem cell research – offers hope to our sons and thousands of Nebraskans who suffer from diabetes, Parkinson’s and other devastating diseases.

For years, it has been the policy of the University of Nebraska to follow the strict, ethical guidelines established by the National Institutes of Health, the federal government and state law. But now the Board of Regents is being pressured to change that policy to ban some of the most promising avenues of research.

Now, I’m asking you to give 100% for Nebraska.

Please go to www.nebraskacures.com and ask your regent to keep the University’s existing research policy.

 8401 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, NE 68114  402-390-2461

www.nebraskacures.com

P.S. Here is a partial list of the supporters of  California’s stem cell research initiative: compare it to the list of  opponents of  H.R. 8.

 

 

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Coalition Members

 

A partial list of members. Titles and affiliations are included for identification purposes only.

Disease and Patient Advocacy Organizations 

Medical Groups and Hospitals

Nobel Prize Winners   

Medical Doctors

Professors, Researchers and Scientists

Political Organizations and Leaders

Disease and Patient Advocacy Organization Leaders

 

Women’s Advocacy Groups and Leaders

Latino Organizations & Leaders

African American Organizations & Leaders

Community Organizations and Leaders

Faith Organizations and Leaders

Business and Labor Groups and Leaders

California Elected Officials and
Governmental Organizations

 

Disease and Patient Advocacy Organizations

 

AIDS Project Los Angeles

AIDS Research Alliance

ALS Association

ALS Therapy Development Foundation

Alliance for Aging Research

Alzheimer’s Association, California Council

American Diabetes Association

American Lung Association of California

American Parkinson’s Disease Association

Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America, Southern California Chapter

California Arthritis Foundation Council

California Hepatitis C Task Force

Californians for Cure

Californians for Disability Rights

Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation

Children’s Neurobiological Solutions

The Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation

Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research
Comprised of 84 nationally recognized patient organizations,
universities, scientific societies, foundations, and individuals.

Cure Autism Now Foundation

CuresNow

Cure Paralysis Now

Cure Pulmonary Fibrosis and COPD

Cystic Fibrosis Research, Inc.

Diabetes Research Institute

Diabetes Research Institute Foundation

Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation

Diabetes Coalition of California

Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy

Fair Foundation: Fair Allocations in Research

Friends of Cancer Research

Hereditary Disease Foundation
An international organization committed to the cure of Huntington’s disease.

International Society for Stem Cell Research

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

Steven and Michele Kirsch Foundation

 

 

Late Onset Tay-Sachs Foundation

Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Lupus Foundation of America, Inc. California Chapter

Lupus LA

Maximum Life Foundation

The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis

Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research

Napa Spinal Cord Injury Network

National Association of Hepatitis Task Forces

National Brain Tumor Foundation

National Coalition for Cancer Research (NCCR)

National Medical Association

National Parkinson Foundation, Orange County Chapter

National Prostate Cancer Coalition

The Neuropathy Association

Paralysis Project of America

Parkinson’s Action Network

Parkinson’s Alliance

Parkinson’s Disease Foundation

The Parkinson’s Institute

Peninsula Parkinson’s Support Group, Inc.

Peninsula Stroke Association

PKIDS

Project ALS

Prostate Cancer Foundation

Research! America

Research for Cure
A non-profit organization raising funds for cures for spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological diseases.

San Francisco AIDS Foundation

Sickle Cell Disease Foundation of California

Stem Cell Action Network

Stem Cell Research Foundation

Student Society for Stem Cell Research

Team Parkinson

United Spinal Association

Women’s Cancer Research Fund

 

Medical Groups and Hospitals

 

AIDS Services Foundation Orange County

American Academy of Pediatrics, California District IX

American Nurses Association of California

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, District IX

American College of Cardiology, California Chapter

American Society of Gene Therapy

American Society of Hematology

American Society for Reproductive Medicine

American Society for Neural Transplantation & Repair

Association of Northern California Oncologists

Auxiliary to the National Medical Association
Promotes the interests of physicians and patients of African descent.

Alameda-Contra Costa Medical Association

The Buck Institute for Age Research

The Burnham Institute

California Academy of Family Physicians

California Association of Nurse Practitioners

California Biomedical Research Association

California Society of Anesthesiologists

California Medical Association
Comprised of over 35,000 physicians.

California Society of Pathologists

Cedars-Sinai Health System

Central Valley Health Network
Providing health care to 98 clinical sites in 19 Central Valley counties.

 

Childrens Hospital Los Angeles

Children’s Oncology Group, California Coalition

Cord Blood Options

Endocrine Metabolic Medical Center

Genetics Policy Institute

HealthTech: The Health Technology Center

Humboldt-Del Norte County Medical Society

Institute of Myeloma and Bone Cancer Research

Kern County Medical Society

LA Care Health Plan

Lifepoint Wellness

Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute (LA BioMed)

Marin County Healthcare District

Monterey County Medical Association

Medical Oncology Association of Southern California

Pennington Institute for Health and Wellness

San Francisco Medical Society
A nonprofit organization consisting of over 1200 physicians that advocate in the interest of public health.

San Joaquin Medical Society

Sierra Sacramento Valley Medical Society

UCLA AIDS Institute

Venice Family Clinic

 

 

Nobel Prize Winners

 

Sidney Altman, PhD
Sterling Professor of Biology & Chemistry,
Yale University
Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1989)David Baltimore, PhD
President, California Institute of Technology
Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1975)Baruj Benacerraf, MD
Past President, Sidney Farber Cancer Institute
Former Chair of Pathology, Harvard Medical School
Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1980)Paul Berg, PhD
Professor of Cancer Research Emeritus, Director Emeritus Beckman Center
Stanford University
Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1980)

J. Michael Bishop, MD
University Professor and Director, G.W. Hooper Foundation
Chancellor, University California, San Francisco
Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1989)

Paul D. Boyer, PhD
Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry
University of California, Los Angeles
Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1997)

Sydney Brenner, PhD
Distinguished Professor
Salk Institute for Biological Sciences
Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (2002)

Renato Dulbecco, MD
Distinguished Professor and President Emeritus
Salk Institute for Biological Sciences
Nobel Prize Physiology or Medicine (1975)

Edmond H. Fischer, PhD
Biochemistry Professor Emeritus
University of Washington
Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1992)

Walter Gilbert, PhD
Professor of Cellular and Molecular Biology
Harvard Univeristy
Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1980)

Donald Glaser, PhD
Professor of Physics and Neurobiology
University California, Berkeley
Nobel Prize in Physics (1960)

Joseph L. Goldstein, MD
Regenetal Professor, University of Texas
Southwestern Medical Center
Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1985)

Roger Guillemin, MD, PhD
Distinguished Professor
Salk Institute for Biological Sciences
Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1977)

Leland H. Hartwell, PhD
President & Director
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (2001)

Herbert A. Hauptman, PhD
President, Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute,
State University of New York at Buffalo
Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1985)

Alan J. Heeger, PhD
Professor of Physics
University of California, Santa Barbara
Nobel Prize in Chemistry (2000)

H. Robert Horvitz, PhD
Professor of Biology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (2002)

David Hubel, MD
Research Professor of Neurobiology
Harvard University
Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1981)

Eric R. Kandel
Director & Professor, Institute for Brian Sciences
Columbia University
Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (2000)Walter Kohn, Ph.D.
Professor of Physics, Emeritus and Research Professor
University of California, Santa Barbara
Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1998)Arthur Kornberg, MD
Emeritus Pfeiffer Merner Professor of Biochemistry
Stanford University
Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1959)Herbert Kroemer, PhD
Professor of Computer & Electrical Engineering
University of California, Santa Barbara
Nobel Prize in Physics (2000)

Rudy A. Marcus, PhD
Arthur Amos Noyes Professor of Chemistry
California Institute of Technology
Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1992)

Paul Nurse
President, Rockefeller University
Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (2001)

George A. Olah, PhD
Donald P. & Katharine B. Loker
Distinguished Professor of Organic Chemistry
University of Southern California
Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1994)

George Palade, MD
Professor of Cellular and Molecular Medicine
UCSD School of Medicine
Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1974)

Martin L. Perl, PhD
Professor and Chair of the High-Energy Physics Faculty, Stanford Linear Accelerator Center
Stanford University
Nobel Prize in Physics (1995)

Stanley Prusiner, MD
Professor of Neurology
University of California, San Francisco
Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1997)

Burton Richter, PhD
Director Emeritus, Stanford Linear Accelerator Center, Stanford University
Nobel Prize in Physics (1976)

K. Barry Sharpless, PhD
Professor of Chemistry
Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla
Nobel Prize in Chemistry (2001)

E. Donnall Thomas, MD
Professor Emeritus of Medicine
Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center
Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1990)

Susumu Tonegawa, PhD
Director, Picower Center for Learning & Memory
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1987)

Daniel C. Tsui, PhD
Arthur LeGrand Doty Professor of Electrical Engineering, Princeton University
Nobel Prize in Physics (1998)

Harold E. Varmus, MD
President & CEO
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Former Director, National Institutes of Health (1993-1999)
Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1989)

Frank Wilczek, PhD
Herman Feshbach Professor of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Nobel Prize in Physics (2004)

 

Medical Doctors

For a more complete list of Medical Doctors
who support a YES vote on Prop 71, click here.
Karen Aboody, MD
Neuroscientist
City of Hope National Medical CenterPaul J. Cimoch, MD, PhD
Director
Center for Special ImmunologyDenard Fobbs, MD
Director/Owner
Lifepoint Wellness InstituteSteve Forman, MD
Director of Hematology and
Bone Marrow Transplantation
City of Hope

Thomas Freeman, MD
Medical Director
Center for Aging and Brain Repair
University of South Florida

Jon M. Greif, DO, FACS
Cancer Surgeon/Researcher
Kaiser Permanente Medical Center

Hans Gritch, MD
Surgical Director
University of California, Los Angeles

Kevin Kaiserman, MD
Medical Director, Clinical Diabetes Center
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

Fran Kaufman, MD
Division Head of Endocrinology and Metabolism
Children’s Hospital, Los Angeles
Past President, American Diabetes AssociationBertram H. Lubin, MD
President and Director of Research,
Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute
Co-Director, Northern California Sickle Cell CenterPhyllis Preciado, MD
Sequoia Community Health Foundation
Fresno Chapter President, CA Latino Medical AssociationJ. Joseph Prendergast, MD
President
Endocrine Metabolic Center

Camillo Ricordi, MD
Scientific Director
Diabetes Research Institute

Stuart Siegel, MD
Head, Division of Hematology-Oncology
Director, Childrens Center for Cancer & Blood Diseases
Childrens Hospital Los Angeles

Edwin Tasch, MD
Chief, Department of Neurology
Kaiser Santa Clara

Raymond Weisberg, MD
Past President
American Cancer Society, California Division

 

Professors, Researchers and Scientists

For a more complete list of Professors, Researchers and Scientists
who support a YES vote on Prop 71, click here.
Genevieve M. Ames, PhD
Professor, Pacific Institute for Research
University of California, BerkeleyDavid Anderson, PhD
Professor of Molecular, Cellular & Integrative Neuroscience
California Institute of TechnologyElizabeth Blackburn, PhD
Professor of Biology and Physiology
University of California, San Francisco
California Scientist of the Year, 1999Jeffrey Bluestone, PhD
Director, UCSF Diabetes Center
University of California, San Francisco

Susan Bryant, PhD
Dean, School of Biological Sciences
Professor of Developmental & Cell Biology
University of California, Irvine

Thomas Cesario, MD
Dean, College of Medicine
University of California, Irvine
Orange County Medical Association,
Physician of the Year, 2001

Dennis Clegg
Professor and Chair
Dept of Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology
University of California, Santa Barbara

Roy Curry, PhD
Professor and Associate Dean
University of California, Davis

Kenneth Dorshkind, PhD
Professor and Vice-Chair
Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
David Geffen School of Medicine
University of California, Los Angeles

Caleb E. Finch, PhD
Professor, Neurobiology of Aging
University of Southern California

Fred Gage, PhD
Professor, Laboratory of Genetics
Salk Institute

Robert Gish, MD
Medical Director Liver Transplant Program
California Pacific Medical Center

Lawrence Goldstein, PhD
Professor of Cellular and Molecular Medicine
University of California, San Diego School of Medicine

Barry Greenberg, MD
Professor of Medicine
University of California, San Diego
Secretary, Heart Failure Society of America

David A. Greenberg, MD, PhD
Professor and Vice President
Special Research Program
Buck Institute

G. Denman Hammond, MD
Founder, National Childhood Cancer Foundation
Associate VP of Health Affairs
University of Southern California

Clark D. Hinderleider, MD, PhD
Secretary, Clinician-Scientists for the Public’s Weal
Instructor of Surgery, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery

Edward W. Holmes, MD
Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences
Dean, University of California San Diego
School of Medicine

Lois Jovanovic, MD
Director and CSO
Sansum Diabetes Research Institute, Santa Barbara

Henry Klassen, MD, PhD
Director, Stem Cell Research
Children’s Hospital of Orange County

Michael Karin, PhD
Frank and Else Schilling American Cancer Society Professor
Cancer Biology Program
University of California, San Diego School of Medicine

Hans Kierstead, PhD
Assistant Professor, Institute for Aging and Dementia
University of California, Irvine

Gary Kleiman
Executive Director
Diabetes Research Institute Foundation

Harley Kornblum, MD, PhD
Director, Neural Stem Cell Research Center
University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine

Richard E. Latchaw, MD
Professor of Neuroradiology
University of California, Davis

 

Bertram H. Lubin, MD
President, Director of Research
Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute
Co-Director, Northern CA Sickle Cell Center of OaklandRandall W. Maxey, MD, PhD
President
National Medical AssociationRichard Murphy, PhD
President & CEO
Salk InstituteElizabeth Neufeld
Professor of Biological Chemistry
David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA
California Scientist of the Year, 1990

Michael Oldstone
Head, Division of Virology
Scripps Research Institute

Robert Pearlman
President and CEO
Diabetes Research Institute Foundation

Renee Reijo Pera, PhD
Associate Professor
Co-Director, Stem Cell Program
University of California, San Francisco

Phil A. Pizzo, MD
Dean, Stanford University School of Medicine
Vice Chair, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation

John C. Reed, MD, PhD
President & CEO
Burnham Institute

Alan Robinson, MD
Associate Vice Chancellor
Executive Associate Dean
David Geffen School of Medicine
University of California, Los Angeles

Paul Sanberg, PhD, DSc
Distinguished Professor and Director
Center for Aging and Brian Repair
University of South Florida

Judy Shizuru, MD
Assistant Professor Bone Marrow Transplant Division
Stanford University School of Medicine

Stuart Siegel, MD
Professor and Vice-Chair, Department of Pediatrics
University of Southern California
Keck School of Medicine
Director, Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

Evan Snyder, MD, PhD
Professor and Director, Stem Cell Program
Burnham Institute

Oswald Steward, PhD
Director, Reeve-Irvine Research Center
University of California, Irvine

Gary Steinberg, MD, PhD
Co-Director, Neuroscience Institute
Co-Director, Stroke Center
Stanford University

Leon Thal, MD
Professor and Chairman, Department of Neurosciences
Director, Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center
University of California, San Diego

David Thompson, PhD
Professor and Chair of Biology
California State University, San Bernadino

David Warburton, DSc, MD
Professor of Pediatrics and Surgery
Childrens Hospital Los Angeles

Irving Weissman, MD
Director
Institute for Cancer/Stem Cell Biology and Medicine
Stanford University
California Scientist of the Year, 2002

Phyllis M. Wise, PhD
Dean of the Division of Biological Sciences
Distinguished Professor of Neurobiology
University California, Davis

Keith Yamamoto, PhD
Professor of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology
Executive Vice Dean
University of California at San Francisco
School of Medicine
University of California at San Francisco

Jerome A. Zack
Professor of Medicine
University of California, Los Angeles
AIDS Institute

Mark Zern, MD
Director Transplant Research
University of California, Davis

 

Disease and Patient Advocacy Organization Leaders

 

Raymond Barglow
Bioethicist & Founder
Stem Cell Action NetworkMary Brown
President & CEO
Sickle Cell Disease Foundation of CaliforniaL. Natalie Carroll, MD
Chair,
Institute for the Advancement of Multicultural
and Minority MedicinePamela Freeman Fobbs, JD
President
Auxiliary to the National Medical Association

Paul Carvey
President
American Society of Neural Transplantation
and Repair

Richard Darling, DDS
Founder
Fair Foundation

Elizabeth Benson Forer
CEO
Venice family Clinics

Thomas Freeman, MD
Past President
American Society for Neural Transplantation
and Repair

Michael Freidman, MD
President and CEO
City of Hope

Maria Fuhrman
Vice President
Hope for A Cure Guild

Thom Gauthier
Executive Director
International Society for Stem Cell Research

Karen Miner
Founder, Research for Cure

Mary Tyler Moore
International Chairman,
Juvenile Diabetes Research FoundationGail Pressberg
Chair of Public Affairs
Juvenile Diabetes Research FoundationDon Reed
Founder
Californians for CureBill Remak
Chairman
CA Hepatitis C Task Force

Michael Roanhaus
President
Cystic Fibrosis Research, Inc.

Joan Samuelson
Founder and President
Parkinson’s Action Network

Kenneth Trevett, JD
President and CEO
Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute

Carol Walton
Executive Director
Parkinson Alliance

Raymond Weisberg, MD
Past President
American Cancer Society, California Division

Nancy Wexler, PhD
President
Hereditary Disease Foundation

Geoffrey Williams
President
Lymphoma Research Foundation

Ann Winthrop
President
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of Orange County

 

 

Women’s Advocacy Groups and Leaders

For a more complete list of women’s groups and leaders
who support a YES vote on Prop 71, click here.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, District IX

American Society for Reproductive Medicine

Black Women Organized for Political Action

California NOW

Catholics for Free Choice

Dr. Donnica.com
The first name in women’s health

Feminist Majority Foundation

 

Hadassah: Women’s Zionist Organization of America

National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease

Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California (PPAC)

Sapphire Women’s Health Group

Westwind Women’s Health Services

Women’s Cancer Research Fund

Women For:

Women for Reform Judaism

 

Latino Groups and Organizations

For a more complete list of Latino organizations and leaders
who support a YES vote on Prop 71, click here.
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Labor Council for Latin American Advancement

La Raza Lawyers Association

Latino Business Forum

Latino Coalition for a Healthy California

National Coalition of Hispanic Organizations

African American Groups and Organizations

For a more complete list of African American organizations and leaders
who support a YES vote on Prop 71, click here.
Black Women Organized for Political Action

California Black Chamber of Commerce

California NAACP

FAME: First AME Church

Greater LA African American Chamber of Commerce

National Medical Association

Operation Hope

Community Organizations and Leaders

 

Ashley’s Diabetes Information Center

Asian American Donor Program

Ballot Initiative Strategy Center

Black Women Organized for Political Action

California Federation of Teachers

California NAACP

California National Organization for Women

Feminist Majority Foundation

LA Gay and Lesbian Center

Labor Council for Latin American Advancement

La Raza Lawyers Association

Latino Coalition for a Healthy California

LGBT Greens of Los Angeles

Lincoln Club of San Diego

Methodist Federation for Social Action

National Association of Socially Responsible Organizations

National Coalition of Hispanic Organizations

Operation HOPE

Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California (PPAC)

Rock the Vote

Women For:

Michael Booher
Fire Chief
Bridgeport Fire Department

John Bryant
Founder and CEO
Operation HOPE

 

 

 

Delaine Eastin
Former Superintendent of
Public InstructionCharles Gahn
Fire Chief
Ocotillo Wells Fire DepartmentJose A. Garcia
Executive Director
Inquilinos Unidos – United TenantsElizabeth Benson Forer
CEO
Venice Family Clinic

Robert A. Martinez
President
Pico Water District

Margie Murray
Vice President
Valley Democrats United

Keda Alcala Obledo
Executive Director
National Coalition of Hispanic Organizations

Mario Obledo
President
National Coalition of Hispanic Organizations
Former CA Secretary of Health & Welfare

Terry O’Connor
Principal
Antelope Valley Adult School

Lois Rodriguez
President
California La Raza Lawyers Association

Jeff Sheehy
Former HIV/AIDS Advisor
to Mayor Gavin Newsom

Paul Vega
Executive Director
Young Latino Leaders

Daphna E. Ziman
Founder and Chairperson
Children Uniting Nations

 

Faith Organizations and Leaders

 

Catholics for a Free Choice

Congregation Beth Am

FAME: First AME Church

Hadassah

Women of Reform Judaism
The Federation of Temple Sisterhoods

The Workmen’s Circle/Arbeter Ring

California Church IMPACT
Legislative Advocacy Sister Organization
of the California Council of Churches

Rabbi Camille Shira Angel
Congregation Sha’ar Zahav

Rabbi Raphael Asher
Congregation B’nai Tikvah

Rabbi Michael Berk
Northern California Regional Director Union for Reform Judaism

Rabbi Kenneth Chasen
Leo Baeck Temple

Rabbi Elliot N. Dorff
Rector and Distinguished Professor of Philosophy
University of Judaism, Los Angeles
Conservative Judaism’s Committee on Jewish Law and Standards

Rabbi Jacqueline Koch Ellenson
Director
Women’s Rabbinic Network

Rabbi David Ellenson
President
Hebrew Union College
Jewish Institute of Religion

Rabbi Sheila Goloboy
Congregation Beth Israel

Rabbi Alan Henkin
So Cal Regional Director Union for Reform Judaism

Reverend Vern Jones
Episcopal Priest

Rabbi Stuart Kelman
Congregation Netivot Shalom

Rabbi Mordecai Kieffer
Temple Emet

Rabbi Steven Leder
Senior Rabbi

 

 

Rabbi Michael Lezak
Congregation Rodef SholomRabbi Susan Lippe
Congregation Beth AmMac McConnel
PriestRabbi Janet Marder
President, Central Conference of American Rabbis
Senior Rabbi, Congregation Beth-Am

Rabbi Shaldon Marder
Jewish Home of San Francisco

Rabbi Sydney Mintz
Congregation Emanu-El

Rabbi Michelle Missaghieh
Temple Israel of Hollywood

Ricki Oleon
Western Federation of Temples Sisterhoods
Women of Reform Judaism

Rabbi Stephen S. Pearce
Congregation Emanu-El

Rabbi George Schlesinger
Congregation Beth Am Santa Rosa

Rabbi Jacob Traub
Past President
Northern California, Board of Rabbis

Jan Tuttleman
Past President
San Diego Women’s Division
United Women’s Federation

Rabbi Laura Novak Winer
Director
Youth and Informal Education Union for Reform Judaism

Rabbi Rick Winer
Congregation Beth Emek

Rabbi David Wolpe
Sinai Temple

Rabbi Koch Wolpe
Women’s Rabbinic Network

Rabbi Eric H. Yoffie
Union for Reform Judaism

Rabbi Josh Zweiback
Congregation Beth Am

 

Business and Labor Groups and Leaders

 

AFSCME: American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees

Alliance of California Taxpayers

BIOCOM
Life science industry association representing more than 450 member companies.

Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO)

CA/NV Council of Operating Engineers

California Healthcare Institute

California Black Chamber of Commerce

California Chamber of Commerce

Central City Association of Los Angeles

Contra Costa Council

Greater LA African American Chamber of Commerce

Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Latino Business Forum

Los Angeles Business Council

Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce

Orange County Business Council

Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce

San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce

San Diego County Taxpayers Association

San Francisco Chamber of Commerce

San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce

Tri Valley Business Council

 

 

United Chambers of Commerce

United Farm Workers

Valley Industry and Commerce Association

West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce

Steve & Lisa Altman
Executive Vice President
Qualcomm Incorporated

Steven Burrill
CEO
Burrill & Company

Brook Byers
Partner
Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers

John Doerr
Partner
Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers

Lucy Fisher
Producer
Red Wagon Entertainment

Michael Goldberg
Managing Director
Jasper Capital

Steven Krausz
Managing Partner
US Venture Partners

Herbert & Marion Sandler
Chairman and CEO
Golden West Financial Corporation Executive

George Shultz
Distinguished Fellow
Hoover Institution, Stanford University
Former US Secretary of State

Richard Ziman
Chairman and CEO
Arden Realty

 

 

Political Organizations and Leaders

 

Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club

Ballot Initiative Strategy Center

Berkeley Democratic Club

Black Women Organized for Political Action

California Democratic Party

California National Organization for Women

Culver City Democratic Club

Democratic Alliance for Action

Democratic Club of the High Desert

Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley

Feminist Majority Foundation

FDR Democratic Club

Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club

Hayward Democratic Club

Irish American Democratic Club, San Francisco

LA County Democratic Central Committee

La Morinda Democratic Club

LGBT Greens of Los Angeles

Los Angeles County Democratic Party

Los Angeles County Young Democrats

Noe Valley Democratic Club

Placer County Democratic Central Committee

Richmond District Democratic Club

Rock the Vote

San Diego County Democratic Committee

San Fernando County Young Democrats

San Joaquin Valley Democratic Club

Santa Barbara Democratic League

Santa Clara County Democratic Party

Santa Clara Democratic Party

Seal Beach/Leisure World Democratic Club

Stonewall Democrats

Visalia Democratic Club

Margie Murray
Vice President
Valley Democrats United

Jim Wachob
President
Irish American Democratic Club, San Francisco

 

California Elected Officials and Governmental Organizations

Statewide Constitutional Officers

 

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State of CaliforniaLt. Governor Cruz Bustamante
State of CaliforniaController Steve Westly
State of CaliforniaAttorney General Bill Lockyer
State of California
Treasurer Phil Angelides
State of CaliforniaSecretary of State Kevin Shelly
State of CaliforniaInsurance Commissioner John Garamendi
State of California

 

Federal Officeholders

 

President Jimmy Carter
United States of AmericaUnited States Senator Barbara Boxer
State of CaliforniaUnited States Dianne Feinstein
State of CaliforniaCongressman Xavier Becerra
US House of Representatives
31st District of California

Congressman Howard Berman
US House of Representatives
28dth District of California

Congresswoman Lois Capps
US House of Representatives
23rd District of California

Congressman Dennis Cardoza
US House of Representatives
18th District of California

Congresswoman Susan Davis
US House of Representatives
53rd District of California

Congressman Cal Dooley
US House of Representatives
20th District of California

Congresswoman Anna Eshoo
US House of Representatives
14th District of California

Congressman Sam Farr
US House of Representatives
17th District of California

Congressman Bob Filner
US House of Representatives
51st District of California

Congresswoman Jane Harman
US House of Representatives
36th District of California

Congressman Tom Lantos
US House of Representatives
12th District of California

Congresswoman Barbara Lee
US House of Representatives
9th District of California

 

Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren
US House of Representatives
16th District of CaliforniaCongresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald
US House of Representatives
37th District of CaliforniaCongressman George Miller
US House of Representatives
7th District of CaliforniaCongresswoman Grace Napolitano
US House of Representatives
38th District of California

Congressman Doug Ose
US House of Representatives
3rd District of California

Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi
US House of Representatives
8th District of California

Congresswoman Linda T. Sanchez
US House of Representatives
39th District of California

Congresswoman Hilda Solis
US House of Representatives
32nd District of California

Congressman Fortney Pete Stark
US House of Representatives
13th District of California

Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher
US House of Representatives
10th District of California

Congressman Mike Thompson
US House of Representatives
1st District of California

Congresswoman Diane Watson
US House of Representatives
33rd District of California

Congressman Henry Waxman
US House of Representatives
30th District of California

Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey
US House of Representatives
6th District of California

 

State Legislators
Senator Richard Alarcon
State Senator, 20th Senatorial DistrictElaine Alquist
Candidate for State Senator, District 13Assemblywoman Patty Berg
1st Assembly District of CaliforniaAssemblyman Rudy Bermudez
56th Assembly District of California

Senator John Burton
State Senator, 3rd Senatorial District

Senator Gilbert Cedillo
State Senator, 22nd Senatorial District

Assemblyman Ed Chavez
57th Assembly District of California

Senator Wesley Chesbro
State Senator, 2nd Senatorial District

Assemblywoman Judy Chu
49th Assembly District of California

Assemblyman Rebecca Cohn
24th Assembly District of California

Assemblywoman Ellen M. Corbett
18th Assembly District of California

Jim Costa
Former California State Senator
Current Congressional Candidate

Assemblyman John A. Dutra
20th Assembly District of California

Senator Denise Moreno Ducheny
State Senator, 40th Senatorial District

Assemblyman Mervyn M. Dymally
52nd Assembly District of California

Senator Martha Escutia
State Senator, 30th Senatorial District

Senator Liz Figueroa
State Senator, 10th Senatorial District

Assemblyman Marco Firebaugh
50th District of California

Assemblywoman Jackie Goldberg
45th Assembly District of California

Assemblywoman Hannah-Beth Jackson
35th Assembly District of California

Assemblymember Christine Kehoe
76th Assembly District of California

Senator Sheila Kuehl
State Senator, 23rd Senatorial District

Assemblyman John Laird
27th Assembly District of California

Assemblyman Mark Leno
13th Assembly District of California

Assemblywoman Sally Lieber
22nd Assembly District of California

Assemblyman Alan Lowenthal
54th Assembly District of CaliforniaSenator Michael Machado
State Senator, 25th Senatorial DistrictCarole Migden
Chairwoman, California State Board of EqualizationAssemblywoman Cindy Montanez
39th Assembly District of California

Assemblywoman Gene Mullin
19th Assembly District of California

Assemblyman George Nakano
53rd Assembly District of California

Assemblyman Joe Nation
6th Assembly District of California

Fabian Nunez
Speaker of the Assembly

Senator Deborah Ortiz
State Senator, 6th Senatorial District
Chair, Senate Health and Human Services Committee

Senator Don Perata
State Senator, 9th Senatorial District

Assemblywoman Sarah Reyes
31st Assembly District of California

Senator Gloria Romero
State Senator, 24th Senatorial District

Assemblyman Simon Salinas
28th Assembly District of California

Senator Jack Scott
State Senator, 21st Senatorial District

Senator Byron Sher
State Senator, 11th Senatorial District

David Silva
Assembly Candidate
6th Assembly District of California

Assemblyman Joe Simitian
21st Assembly District of California

Senator Nell Soto
State Senator, 32nd Senatorial District

Senator Jackie Speier
State Senator, 8th Senatorial District

Assemblyman Darrel Steinberg
9th Assembly District of California

Senator Tom Torlakson
State Senator, 7th Senatorial District

Herb Wesson
Speaker Emeritus, California State Assembly

Assemblywoman Patricia Wiggins
7th Assembly District of California

Assemblywoman Lois Wolk
8th Assembly District of California

Local Officeholders and Municipalities

 

Alameda County Board of Supervisors

City of Capitola

City of Carson

Los Angeles City Council

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors

City of Malibu

Marin County Board of Supervisors

City of Oakland

City of Orange Cove

San Francisco Board of Supervisors

Santa Barbara City Council

Santa Clara Board of Supervisors

West Hollywood City Council

Mayor Larry Agran
City of Irvine

Mayor Paul Albritton
City of Sausalito

Mayor Irma Anderson
City of Richmond

Deputy Mayor Toni Atkins
City of San Diego

Mayor Tom Bates
City of Berkeley

County Supervisor Hal C. Brown
County of Marin

County Supervisor Yvonne B. Burke
County of Los Angeles

Mayor Anna Caballero
City of Salinas

Supervisor Marita Callaway
Calaveras County

County Supervisor Keith Carson
Alameda County

Council Member Allen Co
City of South El Monte

Mayor James Dear
City of Carson

Supervisor Roger Dickinson
Sacramento County

Supervisor Bevan Dufty
San Francisco County

Mayor John Duran
City of West Hollywood

Council Member Charles England
City of Cathedral City

Council Member Mike Garcia
City of Santa Ana

Council Member Maggie Gomez
City of Daly City

Council Member Joseph Gonzales
City of South El Monte

Council Member Josie Gonzales
City of Fontana

Mayor Ron Gonzales
City of San Jose

Council Member Wendy Greuel
City of Los Angeles

Mayor James Hahn
City of Los Angeles

Mayor Harvey Hall
City of Bakersfield

Council Member Mike Harris
City of Petaluma

Council Member Olden Henson
City of Hayward

 

 

Sandra Hernandez
Former Director of Health
City/County San FranciscoCouncil Member Emily Ishigaki
City of El MonteMayor Marshall Kamena
City of LivermoreCouncil Member Judy Kleinberg
City of Palo Alto

County Supervisor Liz Kniss
Santa Clara County, California

Council Member Patrick Kolstad
City of Santa Clara

County Supervisor Gary Lewis
Lake County, California

Council Member Tom Long
City of Rancho Palos Verdes

Council Member Susan Lien Longville
City of San Bernadino

Mayor Victor Lopez
City of Orange Cove

Mayor Art Madrid
City of La Mesa

Council Member Thomas Malson
City of Galt

Council Member Tony Mendoza
City of Artesia

Mayor Dick Murphy
City of San Diego

County Supervisor Mike Nevin
San Mateo County

Mayor Gavin Newsom
City of San Francisco

Council Member Dan Nguyen-Tan
City of Chico

Council Member Alex Padilla
President
Los Angeles City Council

Council Member Bernard Parks
Los Angeles City Council

County Supervisor Peter Parra
Kern County

Council Member Henry T. Perea
Acting Council President
Fresno City Council

Mayor Tom Pico
City of Pleasanton

Council Member Jeffrey Prang
City of West Hollywood

Mayor Miguel Pulido
City Santa Ana

Council Member Deborah Robertson
City of Rialto

Council Member Sam Salmon
Town of Windsor

Council Member Pete Sanchez
Suisun City
Suisun City Vice Mayor

Council Member Margaret J. Smith
City of Clear Lake

Council Member John M. Solis
City of La Puente

County Supervisor Gail Steele
Alameda County, California

Council Member Doug Stern
City of Rancho Palos Verdes

Council Member Steve Tate
City of Morgan Hill

City Councilman Jack Weiss
City of Los Angeles

County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky
Los Angeles County

 

Senior Advocacy Organizations

 

Congress of California Seniors

 

Gray Panthers, California

Seniors Allied for Biomedical Research

 

 

 

Paid for by YES on 71: Coalition for Stem Cell Research and Cures, #1260661

 

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