Here is the text of the letter from the ISSCR concerning the Northern California county land development/research center proposal.
July 11, 2007
The Honorable Supervisor Mariko Yamada, Chair
Yolo County Board of Supervisors
625 Court Street, Room 204
Woodland, CA 95695
Dear Supervisor Yamada,
The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR), which represents over 2500 scientists, ethicists, and clinical researchers in the field of stem cell biology from 47 countries, heartily endorses the concept of an International Center for Regenerative Medicine at the Davis Ranch site, dedicated to the translational development of new therapies.
There is a severe shortage of funds for bridging the gap between academic discovery research and industry-sponsored clinical development. This gap of funding is a harsh place where small firms struggling to bring regenerative medicine to patients receive very little support from government and/or private investors. The need for philanthropic support of medical research has never been more urgently needed than today. The substantial gift offered by the Tsakopoulos Family would create a Translational Medicine Development Fund to bridge the gap between basic research and tangible potential therapies and/or cures for seventy or more chronic diseases and
injuries within the field of regenerative medicine.
We also endorse this unique concept because it will bring international institutions together and create a critical mass of scientific research that will allow collaboration and progress in a way that has never been seen before. This exciting proposal would create a world class model for scientific research and collaboration that is the first of its kind.
We strongly encourage you to study this concept as a part of a general plan to bring economic development to your county. We believe that stem cell research will inevitably spawn commercial interest and change the lives of your residents and millions of Americans who live with intense suffering and face premature death. We urge you to carefully consider this unique and innovative proposal to find therapies and/or cures to treat devastating illnesses and injuries.
Respectfully,
George Q. Daley, MD, PhD
President, ISSCR
No comments:
Post a Comment