FTCR: CIRM May be Moving Too Hastily

While the California stem cell agency is moving quickly forward with plans for its first research grants, a watchdog group continues to raise questions about whether the results will be affordable and available to Californians.

The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights said today that it is "concerned that the pressure to show results from a program that was approved by voters in 2004 and stalled by legal challenges could lead to hastily made and poorly considered grants that waste public money."

The news release continued:

"FTCR also said that the stem cell institute must have policies in place that ensure any treatments and cures developed with taxpayer money are accessible and affordable for all Californians."

The trigger for the foundation's comments is posting of the timelines for application for the research grants. The foundation said that "the letters of intent to apply for CIRM SEED Grants and CIRM Comprehensive Grants will be due Sept. 15. Full applications are due Oct. 13 and Nov. 13 respectively. CIRM envisions awarding the SEED grants in March 2007. The Comprehensive Grants would be awarded in March or April."

Here is a link to the foundation's full statement.