Rabble, International Meetings and CIRM

The Consumer Watchdog group says the real problem with the International Stem Cell Forum last month did not necessarily involve CIRM's reluctance to provide cost estimates.

Instead, it involves keeping the rabble out of the meeting at a luxury San Francisco hotel.

The remark comes from John M. Simpson, who was writing on the new blog of Consumer Watchdog, which was formerly known as the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights.

Commenting on our item below, Simpson, stem cell director of the group, says,

"What really is of major concern, though, is the fact that these meetings were closed. Supposedly the reason for that is that the ISCF is administered by the UK's Medical Research Council. The ISCF chairman is Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, chief executive of the Medical Research Council (UK). Apparently the scientists on the other side of the Pond just assume the rabble ought not be let in behind the closed doors of their scientific clubs when meeting.

"CIRM did call a late afternoon telephonic news conference -- about the worst time for any working reporter on a deadline -- only to delay the announced start by half an hour. Then when reporters called in at the newly appointed time, they were kept on hold for at least 20 more minutes."

Simpson says the amount spent does not seem unreasonable, a judgment with which we concur.