Stem Cell Agency Chairman Says IOM Report 'Quite Complimentary'

Jonathan Thomas
CIRM Photo

Jonathan Thomas, the Los Angeles bond financier who is chairman of the $3 billion California stem cell agency, has weighed in at more length on the sweeping recommendations from the Institute of Medicine for changes at the agency.

He wrote a piece for the agency's blog that said the 124-page report was “quite complimentary.” Thomas' article carried forward the theme of the stem cell agency's press release yesterday that said the IOM “praises the agency as a 'bold social innovation.'”

Thomas did acknowledge that the report “highlighted some areas and made some recommendations about where and how we might improve our performance.” 

Thomas concluded by saying the agency takes the report seriously and will, over the next few months, consider how best to respond.

Nearly needless to say, other observers of the agency differ with Thomas' characterization of the report as “quite complimentary.(See here and here.)