Text of Consumer Watchdog Remarks on Closing of CIRM External Review

Here is the text of the comments from John M. Simpson, stem cell project director for Consumer Watchdog of Santa Monica, Ca., on the closed-door, “external review” that the California stem cell agency has scheduled for October. Simpson made his response as the result of an inquiry from the California Stem Cell Report.

"One might justify a brief executive session during a three-day review of
CIRM, but to hold the entire process behind closed doors shows an agency
with leaders who are completely unaware of their responsibility to the
public, or worse, don't care.

"This evaluation looks to be conducted by insiders, some with clear
conflicting ties to CIRM. That is highly improper and inappropriate. I had
thought CIRM's leaders finally understood that they are public officials.
Clearly they do not."

"Despite what Alan Trounson and Bob Klein may think, CIRM is not a private
club where they may do whatever they wish."