Posted on 10/29/2007 9:52:32 AM PDT by Disturbin
Plans for an embryonic stem-cell bank at the University of Massachusetts Medical School for researchers around the globe took a major step forward last week when the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center authorized more than $8 million for the bank and an associated registry. It is a significant step in Central Massachusetts’ evolution as a major center of biotechnology and biomedical research.
Interim chancellor Michael F. Collins said the bank should be operating within eight to 12 months, the registry even sooner than that. That is in keeping with the fast pace at which Gov. Deval L. Patrick’s life sciences and biotechnology initiative has been moving forward. The Life Sciences Center, a quasi-public state agency, was created only last year as part of an economic stimulus program. Mr. Patrick announced his 10-year, $1 billion initiative in May; a financial plan to start the program was filed in July and signed last week.
The facility will be located on the medical school’s Shrewsbury campus for now, until quarters can be built at the UMass Memorial Medical Center’s university campus, also the site of the medical school.The opening of the stem-cell bank and registry is the first step in fulfilling the governor’s goal to make the state a “global platform” for bringing scientific advances from the drawing board to the market. He also has plans to establish an RNAi center at UMass, in part in recognition of the work of medical school faculty member Craig C. Mello, recipient of the 2006 Nobel Prize for his work in that fast-growing area of genetic research.
Mr. Mello’s contributions have done much to focus the discussion of life-sciences and stem-cell research on Worcester.
The stem-cell registry, bank and RNAi center are logical extensions of research already being done not only at the medical school and other area colleges, but also at the Massachusetts Biotechnology Park, Gateway Park, Devens and Tuft University’s veterinary school, among others.
This area should prove attractive to private enterprises because laboratory space is less expensive here than to the east, and a skilled work force is readily available.
It should go without saying that public financing should serve as a catalyst, not the engine, for growth in the life sciences and biotechnology. However, the relatively modest expenditure in the governor’s initiative is apt to lead to significant long-term gains in the Central Massachusetts economy and keep the state competitive with other states with major commitments to stem-cell research.
Interesting how they destroy life and call it the "life sciences" center.
ping
And embryonic stem cell research has produced what benefits or breakthroughs?
“And embryonic stem cell research has produced what benefits or breakthroughs?”
Well, none, but that’s because those social right-wing extremists try to block all of the funding.
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