The California stem cell agency moved adroitly last week to stay on top of the media agenda in connection with the beginning of today's trial challenging the very existence of the institute.
Nicole Pagano, a spokeswoman for CIRM, released a notice to the media on Feb. 23 containing the various times, names and basic details of the trial. It was the kind of stuff that rarely makes its way in an obvious fashion into news stories but is quite helpful to reporters, particularly out-of-town reporters and those not well-versed in the issue.
The email notification went beyond those matters to include attachments that will help set the tone of the reporting during the trial and expose reporters to information that they may not have seen until now. The attachments included an 1,862-word rundown on the key attorneys in the case, including the CIRM opponents; a 1,378-word background paper on the organizations involved, again including the CIRM opponents; a 1,796-word timeline on the litigation, and a copy of the 42-page filing by the state on behalf of CIRM.
The material was generally straightforward, quoting from the web sites of CIRM's opponents, even using some of their special terminology such as "the unborn." When sources were not specifically cited, it appeared that the information was the result of pretrial research into the opposing attorneys and their public records.
All of this is quite helpful to reporters, even if they don't use it immediately in stories. The information also has subtle effects that accrue to CIRM's benefit. It tends to make CIRM the lead source for information on the trial and set the agenda for the terms of the public debate about the trial. It tends to create an aura of authority for CIRM, that contrasts favorably to its opponents, at least so far. The information also tends to bolster CIRM's contention that the main motivation of its opponents is religious as opposed to a desire for good government and policy. That kind of background is likely to filter into many news stories.
Providing such information certainly comes under the legitimate functions of any state agency, although some might argue whether it is appropriate for CIRM to release short biographies of opposing attorneys.
Nothing similar was available from CIRM's foes.
As of this writing, the background information is not available on CIRM's website. Presumably, you can receive it by sending an email to npagano@cirm.ca.gov. If that doesn't work, send a request to us, djensen@californiastemcellreport.blogspot.com, and we will forward the information to you.
Monday, February 27, 2006
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Coming Up
For those of you who have forgotten, the California stem cell agency goes on trial in the Apricot Capital of the World on Monday. More specifically in Alameda County Superior Court in Hayward, Ca. The nonjury trial is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. Pacific Standard Time. We will be in attendance and will file a report at least by early evening on Monday, perhaps sooner, depending on time constraints and Internet accessibility. Here is a link to a piece Sunday by reporter Paul Elias of The Associated Press, setting the stage for the showdown. Here is another piece by Rebecca Vesely in the Oakland Tribune.
The Wages of Eggs
Cash and human eggs – some folks simply do not want to see them linked together, only reluctantly recognizing that women who donate eggs should be reimbursed for their expenses.
The California stem cell agency recently decided to permit reimbursement for lost wages, a position that troubles California state Sen. Deborah Ortiz, chair of the Senate Health Committee and author of legislation that would regulate egg donations involving non-CIRM funded research.
She cites ethical and fairness issues, among other problems, in implementing a policy of reimbursement for lost wages.
We asked Ortiz' office, via email, for an elaboration on her position, including examples of how reimbursement would amount to coercion or inducement.
Hallye Jordan, director of communications for Ortiz, said the senator's general concern
California Stem Cell Report:
How could a $40,000-a-year woman afford to take off any substantial amount of time if she loses pay? Or even a $70,000-a-year person? Most households in that range do not have the economic slack to accommodate big losses in wages. And workers in that range are not likely to be excused with pay by the employers in order to make egg donations. As for non-working women and seasonal workers, that could be even tougher. A woman who does not work outside of the home makes a genuine, measurable economic contribution to a household. If she is away for any length of time, presumably somebody would have to be paid to perform her tasks.
As for the seasonal workers or informal workers, what "other steps" might be taken? If successful diversity efforts are to be made, something has to be done to recognize the economic situation of persons in minority groups.
Jordan:
The California stem cell agency recently decided to permit reimbursement for lost wages, a position that troubles California state Sen. Deborah Ortiz, chair of the Senate Health Committee and author of legislation that would regulate egg donations involving non-CIRM funded research.
She cites ethical and fairness issues, among other problems, in implementing a policy of reimbursement for lost wages.
We asked Ortiz' office, via email, for an elaboration on her position, including examples of how reimbursement would amount to coercion or inducement.
Hallye Jordan, director of communications for Ortiz, said the senator's general concern
"is that it would be difficult to establish a fair system for reimbursement of lost wages, particularly when the pool of subjects may include professional women who would be compensated for high hourly earnings and low-income women who may be compensated at minimum wage.We pursued the question a bit further with Jordan, while noting that the whole question is a bit murky. Here is our subsequent question and Jordan's response.
"For a higher income, professional subject, her employer may be able to accommodate her lost time if she is paid by salary. In that case, a credible argument could be made that payment for lost wages that isn't necessary could constitute a monetary reward that goes beyond the 'direct' expenses.
"For women who don't work, or are paid on a seasonal, informal basis, a lost wages policy won't benefit them, anyway. That suggests others steps may be needed to increase diversity among egg donors."
California Stem Cell Report:
How could a $40,000-a-year woman afford to take off any substantial amount of time if she loses pay? Or even a $70,000-a-year person? Most households in that range do not have the economic slack to accommodate big losses in wages. And workers in that range are not likely to be excused with pay by the employers in order to make egg donations. As for non-working women and seasonal workers, that could be even tougher. A woman who does not work outside of the home makes a genuine, measurable economic contribution to a household. If she is away for any length of time, presumably somebody would have to be paid to perform her tasks.
As for the seasonal workers or informal workers, what "other steps" might be taken? If successful diversity efforts are to be made, something has to be done to recognize the economic situation of persons in minority groups.
Jordan:
"Good points, all. But I don't see how CIRM could pay for lost wages to awoman who has no income. Would they then reimburse her for child care,cooking, cleaning, if she hires someone to take her place in the home? That opens up that whole arena of non-direct expenses, which Prop. 71 prohibits, and (CIRM chairman Robert) Klein said, at the Aug. 30 meeting, includes lost wages. So, all I can say is 'tis a sticky situation."As Jordan indicates, the final word has not yet been written on this matter. Ortiz' legislation is in its early stages and subject to considerable modification. CIRM itself indicated when it adopted its regulations that it was open to changes. Whether it will go so far as to change the wage reimbursement provision is unclear, but probably unlikely.
Stem Cell Ethics Rules "Flawed"
The Center for Genetics and Society says that the recently adopted ethics standards of the California stem cell agency are "fundamentally flawed" and that its intellectual property rules are unlikely to come close to recouping the cost of the agency's program.
In its most recent newsletter, the center, a longtime critic of CIRM, says,
The center's newsletter, Genetic Crossroads, provides a useful overview of recent events involving CIRM, including links to other coverage. But it includes many other topics as well. For example, the Feb. 23 edition includes research cloning, a recap of the latest developments in the Hwang affair, coverage of the Schatten case and other stories on related matters in this country and abroad. The newsletter is available by free electronic subscription.
In its most recent newsletter, the center, a longtime critic of CIRM, says,
"While the research standards adopted by the governing board of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) have some improvements in the details, the core of the policy remains inadequate. It leaves the approval of research protocols to local 'Stem Cell Research Oversight Committees' that will be formed by, and affiliated with, the institutions doing the research.The center continued,
"These committees will consist largely of stem cell researchers themselves and their colleagues from related scientific fields, whose sympathies and loyalties are likely to lie with their institutions and with the research. Further, there will be no oversight of these committees, and key information will not be available to the public for scrutiny."
"The state's share of revenues under the new policy on intellectual property is unlikely to make a significant dent in the $6 billion cost of the program, and it is far from clear that this huge public investment in stem cell research is the best use of funds to promote the health of most Californians."The center noted that the campaign for Prop. 71 promised that the program would pay for itself. Of course, those promises were based on a study that the campaign purchased.
The center's newsletter, Genetic Crossroads, provides a useful overview of recent events involving CIRM, including links to other coverage. But it includes many other topics as well. For example, the Feb. 23 edition includes research cloning, a recap of the latest developments in the Hwang affair, coverage of the Schatten case and other stories on related matters in this country and abroad. The newsletter is available by free electronic subscription.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
CHI, Stem Cells, Love and Morrow
The California Healthcare Institute made some stem cell news this month with the appointment of a new director to its board and with the involvement of its chief counsel in an faith-based political flap.
CHI, a biomed industry group and supporter of the California stem cell agency, named Ted Love, chairman and CEO of Nuvelo Inc. of San Carlos, a biopharmaceutical firm, to the CHI board of directors. Love is also a member of the Oversight Committee of the California stem cell agency.
Earlier this month, CHI and stem cell research surfaced in a different way in the congressional campaign of Republican state Sen. Bill Morrow. His wife, Barbara, is vice president and general counsel of CHI.
Her connection to CHI became an issue, at least for some, because CHI supports embryonic stem cell research, something that Christian activists oppose.
According to the Agape Press web site, whose motto is "reliable news from a Christian source:
CHI, a biomed industry group and supporter of the California stem cell agency, named Ted Love, chairman and CEO of Nuvelo Inc. of San Carlos, a biopharmaceutical firm, to the CHI board of directors. Love is also a member of the Oversight Committee of the California stem cell agency.
Earlier this month, CHI and stem cell research surfaced in a different way in the congressional campaign of Republican state Sen. Bill Morrow. His wife, Barbara, is vice president and general counsel of CHI.
Her connection to CHI became an issue, at least for some, because CHI supports embryonic stem cell research, something that Christian activists oppose.
According to the Agape Press web site, whose motto is "reliable news from a Christian source:
"Senator Morrow does not deny that his wife is employed at the Institute. But he claims her work as general counsel does not require her to promote the company's position on ESCR. The state lawmaker explains that his wife took the job after much prayer and consideration.
"'We sat down with pastors and nationally known bioethicists who were Christians and ministers ... before we accepted that position,' Senator Morrow says.
"Morrow states that he and his wife felt 'very comfortable' with the advice they received -- specifically, that it would clearly understood Mrs. Morrow would not be called on to lobby in support of ESCR. 'And under those conditions, which they've held up to, that's what she's done,' he adds."
Stem Cell Audit Proposal Delayed
Consideration of a proposal to have the legislature's auditor general examine the California stem cell agency has been put off until March 8 or later.
The office of Sen. Deborah Ortiz, who backed the audit along with a bipartisan group of 10 other legislators, announced the delay. No further explanation was offered.
The office of Sen. Deborah Ortiz, who backed the audit along with a bipartisan group of 10 other legislators, announced the delay. No further explanation was offered.
$25 Million for Stem Cell Research and Other Stuff at USC
Funding for stem cell research in California received a big boost today from a self-made billionaire who is the son of Lithuanian immigrants.
The money -- $25 million – is going to USC to create the Broad Institute for Integrative Biology and Stem Cell Research. The institute will be named after Edythe and Eli Broad, who provided the funds through the Broad Foundation.
USC said the 215,000-square-foot facility will be the largest stem cell research center in California when it opens in 2008. The program will involve Childrens Hospital in Los Angeles and teams from Caltech and other regional scientific institutions.
Eighteen new investigators will be involved in the Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine and another 18 will be engaged in transplant biology, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other metabolic diseases.
Broad co-founded the Kaufman and Broad home building firm and once owned SunAmerica insurance company, which he sold to AIG in 1998 for $18 billion, according to Forbes magazine. Broad was estimated to be worth $6 billion by Forbes.
The money -- $25 million – is going to USC to create the Broad Institute for Integrative Biology and Stem Cell Research. The institute will be named after Edythe and Eli Broad, who provided the funds through the Broad Foundation.
USC said the 215,000-square-foot facility will be the largest stem cell research center in California when it opens in 2008. The program will involve Childrens Hospital in Los Angeles and teams from Caltech and other regional scientific institutions.
Eighteen new investigators will be involved in the Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine and another 18 will be engaged in transplant biology, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other metabolic diseases.
Broad co-founded the Kaufman and Broad home building firm and once owned SunAmerica insurance company, which he sold to AIG in 1998 for $18 billion, according to Forbes magazine. Broad was estimated to be worth $6 billion by Forbes.
Monday, February 20, 2006
Frankenstein, Train Wreck or Good Listener?
The Los Angeles Times has joined The Sacramento Bee in calling for more public disclosure of the financial interests of scientific advisors to the California stem cell agency.
In an editorial today, the Times said,
In an editorial today, the Times said,
"One issue the institute still must confront is making the financial disclosures of its scientific advisors open to the public. These scientists will recommend which grant proposals should be approved, and it's important for the public to know that the reviewers, who often have links to companies and universities, will not be enriched by the advice they give.The editorial generally lauded the agency, particularly the ethics and intellectual property rules approved earlier this month. But it added,
"The agency's leaders argue that no worthwhile scientist would stand for such disclosure. But it's entirely reasonable — and increasingly common — to ask stem cell scientists to disclose their financial and research relationships. If a scientist wants to help decide how California spends $3 billion on stem cell research, he or she should be willing to take steps to assure the public that its money is being well spent."
"It has taken more pressure from public interest groups than it should have to set the institute on the right path. That's probably because the governing board has no members from such groups, something the Legislature should correct once the three-year moratorium on amending Proposition 71 is over. Still, the board showed that it has learned how to listen and respond, one of its most promising steps so far."On Sunday, the agency was likened to a Frankstein monster in an op-ed piece in the San Francisco Chronicle. Dana Welch, executive director of the Berkeley Center for Law, Business and the Economy, posed a series of questions about the agency, ranging from the direction of CIRM's priorities to IP rights.
"Prop 71 left these questions and more wide open. Answer any one wrong, or leave them to chance, and we risk a South-Korean-like train wreck, potentially setting back by years the development of potential cures. Answer these questions right, and California becomes a model for other states and countries conducting stem cell research," she wrote.The questions raised by Welch are identical to the ones being discussed at a conference early in March at Boalt Hall in Berkeley. Her group is one of the sponsors.
Friday, February 17, 2006
Ortiz Seeks Performance Audit of CIRM; Westly Says "Tough Oversight" Needed
Acting on a suggestion of Gov. Schwarzenegger, California State Sen. Deborah Ortiz and nine other legislators are calling for a performance audit of the California stem cell agency.
Their request will come before the Joint Legislative Audit Committee on Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. in room 447 of the state Capitol.
In the letter calling for the audit, Ortiz, a Sacramento Democrat, said the review should include:
She noted that a performance audit of CIRM would have been required by her legislation (SB18) that was vetoed by the governor. She said the governor's veto message urges the legislature to pursue an audit through the Joint Legislative Audit Committee.
Ortiz' request, which includes support from three Republican legislators, calls for completion of the audit by Sept. 30. Her office did not issue a press release on her Feb. 1 request letter. We asked for it after discovering the item on the agenda of the Audit Committee.
CIRM also faces an audit of its own that will cost about $50,000 and be performed by the firm of Gilbert Associates of Sacramento. But the one requested by Ortiz is likely to be the most rigorous.
State Controller Steve Westly, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor, announced last week he would be reviewing CIRM's financial activities. Westly's campaign is making a special effort, fueled by Google ads, to "get stem cell research back on track now."
As state controller, Westly is also chair of the Financial Accountability and Oversight Committee of CIRM and is required by law to "review" CIRM's own audit annually and issue a public report.
In a little noticed press release last week, Westly described himself as a strong supporter of Prop. 71 and said, “Tough oversight will ensure the public's confidence in our stem cell program. The stakes are too high for the institute to risk its funds or the public's trust.”
Westly's office will review the audit already commissioned by CIRM and discuss it a meeting of the Financial Accountability Committee later this spring.
In addition to himself, Westly announced that following the following persons are on the committee:
"Richard Siegal, member, appointed by the State Controller
"John Hein, appointed by the Assembly Speaker
"Jim Lott, appointed by the Senate President Pro Tem
"Daniel S. Brunner, appointed by the State Treasurer
"Myrtle Potter, member, appointed by the Chair of the Independent Citizen's Oversight Committee"
No further information was provided in Westly's press release about the qualifications of the five persons.
A copy of Ortiz' letter follows below because it was not available online at the time this writing.
Their request will come before the Joint Legislative Audit Committee on Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. in room 447 of the state Capitol.
In the letter calling for the audit, Ortiz, a Sacramento Democrat, said the review should include:
"...the strategic policies and plans developed by the CIRM and the ICOC; policies and procedures for issuance of research and facility contracts and grants; policies for hiring and compensation of staff and for procurement of goods and services; policies for managing conflicts of interest for ICOC and working group members; and policies and procedures relating to management of intellectual property rights associated with research funded or commissioned by the CIRM."
She noted that a performance audit of CIRM would have been required by her legislation (SB18) that was vetoed by the governor. She said the governor's veto message urges the legislature to pursue an audit through the Joint Legislative Audit Committee.
Ortiz' request, which includes support from three Republican legislators, calls for completion of the audit by Sept. 30. Her office did not issue a press release on her Feb. 1 request letter. We asked for it after discovering the item on the agenda of the Audit Committee.
CIRM also faces an audit of its own that will cost about $50,000 and be performed by the firm of Gilbert Associates of Sacramento. But the one requested by Ortiz is likely to be the most rigorous.
State Controller Steve Westly, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor, announced last week he would be reviewing CIRM's financial activities. Westly's campaign is making a special effort, fueled by Google ads, to "get stem cell research back on track now."
As state controller, Westly is also chair of the Financial Accountability and Oversight Committee of CIRM and is required by law to "review" CIRM's own audit annually and issue a public report.
In a little noticed press release last week, Westly described himself as a strong supporter of Prop. 71 and said, “Tough oversight will ensure the public's confidence in our stem cell program. The stakes are too high for the institute to risk its funds or the public's trust.”
Westly's office will review the audit already commissioned by CIRM and discuss it a meeting of the Financial Accountability Committee later this spring.
In addition to himself, Westly announced that following the following persons are on the committee:
"Richard Siegal, member, appointed by the State Controller
"John Hein, appointed by the Assembly Speaker
"Jim Lott, appointed by the Senate President Pro Tem
"Daniel S. Brunner, appointed by the State Treasurer
"Myrtle Potter, member, appointed by the Chair of the Independent Citizen's Oversight Committee"
No further information was provided in Westly's press release about the qualifications of the five persons.
A copy of Ortiz' letter follows below because it was not available online at the time this writing.
Ortiz's Audit Request Letter
Here is a copy of Sen. Ortiz' audit request letter.
February 1, 2006
Assemblymember Nicole Parra
Chair, Joint Legislative Audit Committee
State Capitol, Room 4005
Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear Assemblymember Parra:
We are writing to request that the State Auditor conduct a performance audit of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) created by Proposition 71, the California Stem Cell Research and Cures Act, in November, 2004, and to report the results of the audit by September 30, 2006.
We believe a performance audit of the CIRM and the Independent Citizen’s Oversight Committee (ICOC) which governs it would be of great value in guiding the implementation of this large new state program and ensuring that taxpayers’ funds in this area are well spent. Among other things, we would recommend that the audit review the strategic policies and plans developed by the CIRM and the ICOC; policies and procedures for issuance of research and facility contracts and grants; policies for hiring and compensation of staff and for procurement of goods and services; policies for managing conflicts of interest for ICOC and working group members; and policies and procedures relating to management of intellectual property rights associated with research funded or commissioned by the CIRM.
As has been widely reported, the initial implementation of this important new program has been hampered by a number of problems. Due to litigation, the CIRM has not been able to issue bonds to commence making research and facility grants. As a result, the program has relied on loans from private individuals and may soon begin issuing bonds that are not backed by a payment guarantee by the state. In addition, a number of CIRMs hiring, compensation, and contracting actions and expenditures have been questioned as being excessive. Finally, many reviewers have questioned the criteria used to select a site for the CIRMs administrative offices.
SB 18 (Ortiz and Runner) of the 2005-06 Session would have required the State Auditor to conduct a performance audit of the CIRM and the ICOC and to provide the audit report to the Legislature on or before June 30, 2006. It would also have required the State Auditor, on or before October 2007, to provide an analysis of the CIRMs implementation of the recommendations contained in the audit report.
In his veto message, the Governor stated he was vetoing the measure due to concerns that these provisions constituted an impermissible legislative amendment of Proposition 71, which provides that its provisions may be amended by the Legislature in furtherance of its purposes no earlier than the third full calendar year following its adoption by 70 percent of the membership of both houses or the Legislature. The veto message urges the Legislature to pursue a performance audit of the CIRM through the Joint Legislative Audit Committee. Accordingly, through this letter we are requesting that JLAC commission a performance audit of CIRM and the ICOC.
Thank you for your attention to this request. If you have any questions regarding the request, please feel free to contact us or our staffs.
Sincerely,
_
SENATOR DEBORAH ORTIZ, SENATOR GEORGE RUNNER, SENATOR LIZ FIGUEROA, SENATOR SHEILA KUEHL, SENATOR ABEL MALDONADO, SENATOR RICHARD ALARCÓN, SENATOR GLORIA ROMERO, SENATOR ROBERT DUTTON, SENATOR JACK SCOTT, ASSEMBLYMEMBER WILMA CHAN, ASSEMBLYMEMBER JACKIE GOLDBERG
February 1, 2006
Assemblymember Nicole Parra
Chair, Joint Legislative Audit Committee
State Capitol, Room 4005
Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear Assemblymember Parra:
We are writing to request that the State Auditor conduct a performance audit of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) created by Proposition 71, the California Stem Cell Research and Cures Act, in November, 2004, and to report the results of the audit by September 30, 2006.
We believe a performance audit of the CIRM and the Independent Citizen’s Oversight Committee (ICOC) which governs it would be of great value in guiding the implementation of this large new state program and ensuring that taxpayers’ funds in this area are well spent. Among other things, we would recommend that the audit review the strategic policies and plans developed by the CIRM and the ICOC; policies and procedures for issuance of research and facility contracts and grants; policies for hiring and compensation of staff and for procurement of goods and services; policies for managing conflicts of interest for ICOC and working group members; and policies and procedures relating to management of intellectual property rights associated with research funded or commissioned by the CIRM.
As has been widely reported, the initial implementation of this important new program has been hampered by a number of problems. Due to litigation, the CIRM has not been able to issue bonds to commence making research and facility grants. As a result, the program has relied on loans from private individuals and may soon begin issuing bonds that are not backed by a payment guarantee by the state. In addition, a number of CIRMs hiring, compensation, and contracting actions and expenditures have been questioned as being excessive. Finally, many reviewers have questioned the criteria used to select a site for the CIRMs administrative offices.
SB 18 (Ortiz and Runner) of the 2005-06 Session would have required the State Auditor to conduct a performance audit of the CIRM and the ICOC and to provide the audit report to the Legislature on or before June 30, 2006. It would also have required the State Auditor, on or before October 2007, to provide an analysis of the CIRMs implementation of the recommendations contained in the audit report.
In his veto message, the Governor stated he was vetoing the measure due to concerns that these provisions constituted an impermissible legislative amendment of Proposition 71, which provides that its provisions may be amended by the Legislature in furtherance of its purposes no earlier than the third full calendar year following its adoption by 70 percent of the membership of both houses or the Legislature. The veto message urges the Legislature to pursue a performance audit of the CIRM through the Joint Legislative Audit Committee. Accordingly, through this letter we are requesting that JLAC commission a performance audit of CIRM and the ICOC.
Thank you for your attention to this request. If you have any questions regarding the request, please feel free to contact us or our staffs.
Sincerely,
_
SENATOR DEBORAH ORTIZ, SENATOR GEORGE RUNNER, SENATOR LIZ FIGUEROA, SENATOR SHEILA KUEHL, SENATOR ABEL MALDONADO, SENATOR RICHARD ALARCÓN, SENATOR GLORIA ROMERO, SENATOR ROBERT DUTTON, SENATOR JACK SCOTT, ASSEMBLYMEMBER WILMA CHAN, ASSEMBLYMEMBER JACKIE GOLDBERG
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Major Stem Cell Conference Scheduled for March 2-4 at UC Berkeley
Another major stem cell conference is scheduled for March in Bay Area. This one is is being held March 2-4 at UC Berkeley's Boalt Hall and is called "California's Stem Cell Initiative: Confronting the Legal and Policy Challenges."
The 2 ½-day conference has a host of speakers ranging from Ed Penhoet, vice chair of the California stem cell agency, to California state Sen. Deborah Ortiz, who is carrying legislation to step up oversight of the agency. Scientists, academicians, economists and more are scheduled to appear.
You can register at this link. The cost ranges from a $350 corporate level to $25 for students. You can access a fine bibliography of articles by speakers at the conference by clicking here. The other March conference is sponsored by Burrill and Company, a San Francisco life sciences merchant bank. Registration fees are $1495 for that meeting. You can read our earlier item on it here.
The 2 ½-day conference has a host of speakers ranging from Ed Penhoet, vice chair of the California stem cell agency, to California state Sen. Deborah Ortiz, who is carrying legislation to step up oversight of the agency. Scientists, academicians, economists and more are scheduled to appear.
You can register at this link. The cost ranges from a $350 corporate level to $25 for students. You can access a fine bibliography of articles by speakers at the conference by clicking here. The other March conference is sponsored by Burrill and Company, a San Francisco life sciences merchant bank. Registration fees are $1495 for that meeting. You can read our earlier item on it here.
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Clashing Interests on the Stem Cell Oversight Committee
It happened so quickly that only a keen-eyed parliamentarian might have noticed.
One minute the Oversight Committee of the California stem cell agency had a quorum. The next minute it didn't. It was late in the day last Friday. Some members had already left. Then two more members left the room, after expressing displeasure about procedures to create a long overdue strategic plan on how to spend $3 billion. That stymied a vote on the proposal.
"I am extraordinarily disappointed," said Oversight Committee member Claire Pomeroy, dean of the UC Davis Medical School, "that we are not going to have a quorum. We have not carried through on our responsibilities." Her comments came well after the departure of the two other committee members.
On the surface, the matter seems minor – planning a plan, what could be more picayune? But the real stakes – broadly speaking – pit the priorities of the patient advocates against the academic contingent on the board The patient advocates – 10 out of 29 persons on the committee -- represent groups of persons who have diseases that could benefit from stem cell therapies. Generally, the advocates emphasize great speed in bringing cures to the marketplace. The academicians on the board stress thorough science and warn that it is a slow process.
Serving as backdrop to their issues is the Korean stem cell scandal. Some say the focus on speed was one of the causes leading to the fraud.
On Friday, the plan for the strategic plan was carefully laid out by CIRM President Zach Hall. He said it would be a $500,000 effort, conducted by CIRM staff and brought to the board for approval and changes in the summer of 2006. Hall said Price Waterhouse Coopers would be chosen to assist in devising the plan. Overseeing the effort would be a relatively small subcommittee of Oversight members, selected by Hall.
It was the nature of subcommittee that triggered the objections of the two board members, David Serrano-Sewell and Jeff Sheehy, who walked out of the meeting. Serrano-Sewell said he said he was uncomfortable with the subcommittee and not knowing who would be on it. Sheehy echoed his concern. Their objections were relatively brief compared to the hours-long discussion of the planning process at December's Oversight meeting.
One of the issues complicating the process of coming up with a plan is a state law that requires the public to be notified well in advance of meetings by public bodies.
Hall's plan would avoid much of the time-consuming process by minimizing the number of required public meetings. It would also make it easier to call meetings of the public subcommittee. A smaller group means fewer schedule conflicts when setting up sessions. Hall did indicate that he did not want to short-change the public in terms of its opportunity to make its voices heard.
Representatives from academic institutions praised Hall's plan at Friday's meeting, noting that it was similar to the way their organizations operated. In other words, charging the staff to develop the proposal and bring to it the full board for changes and approval.
But Joan Samuelson, a patient advocate, said the strategic plan was very important and that the board was going to have to "own" it. She later told us that the patient advocates wanted to be very involved in planning and said that others seemed more worried about complying with open meeting laws than the stem cell research.
The discussion of the issue at Friday's meeting was relatively brief. To catch a better flavor of the positions here are a few excerpts from December's Oversight Committee meeting, which unveiled many concerns.
Jonathan Shestack, founder and president of Cure Autism Now:
David Serrano-Sewell, representing the
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association and National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Shestack
Gerald Levey, dean of the UCLA Medical School
One final note: Nineteen members of the 29-member Oversight Committee are required for a quorum. Otherwise, the board cannot take legal action.
One minute the Oversight Committee of the California stem cell agency had a quorum. The next minute it didn't. It was late in the day last Friday. Some members had already left. Then two more members left the room, after expressing displeasure about procedures to create a long overdue strategic plan on how to spend $3 billion. That stymied a vote on the proposal.
"I am extraordinarily disappointed," said Oversight Committee member Claire Pomeroy, dean of the UC Davis Medical School, "that we are not going to have a quorum. We have not carried through on our responsibilities." Her comments came well after the departure of the two other committee members.
On the surface, the matter seems minor – planning a plan, what could be more picayune? But the real stakes – broadly speaking – pit the priorities of the patient advocates against the academic contingent on the board The patient advocates – 10 out of 29 persons on the committee -- represent groups of persons who have diseases that could benefit from stem cell therapies. Generally, the advocates emphasize great speed in bringing cures to the marketplace. The academicians on the board stress thorough science and warn that it is a slow process.
Serving as backdrop to their issues is the Korean stem cell scandal. Some say the focus on speed was one of the causes leading to the fraud.
On Friday, the plan for the strategic plan was carefully laid out by CIRM President Zach Hall. He said it would be a $500,000 effort, conducted by CIRM staff and brought to the board for approval and changes in the summer of 2006. Hall said Price Waterhouse Coopers would be chosen to assist in devising the plan. Overseeing the effort would be a relatively small subcommittee of Oversight members, selected by Hall.
It was the nature of subcommittee that triggered the objections of the two board members, David Serrano-Sewell and Jeff Sheehy, who walked out of the meeting. Serrano-Sewell said he said he was uncomfortable with the subcommittee and not knowing who would be on it. Sheehy echoed his concern. Their objections were relatively brief compared to the hours-long discussion of the planning process at December's Oversight meeting.
One of the issues complicating the process of coming up with a plan is a state law that requires the public to be notified well in advance of meetings by public bodies.
Hall's plan would avoid much of the time-consuming process by minimizing the number of required public meetings. It would also make it easier to call meetings of the public subcommittee. A smaller group means fewer schedule conflicts when setting up sessions. Hall did indicate that he did not want to short-change the public in terms of its opportunity to make its voices heard.
Representatives from academic institutions praised Hall's plan at Friday's meeting, noting that it was similar to the way their organizations operated. In other words, charging the staff to develop the proposal and bring to it the full board for changes and approval.
But Joan Samuelson, a patient advocate, said the strategic plan was very important and that the board was going to have to "own" it. She later told us that the patient advocates wanted to be very involved in planning and said that others seemed more worried about complying with open meeting laws than the stem cell research.
The discussion of the issue at Friday's meeting was relatively brief. To catch a better flavor of the positions here are a few excerpts from December's Oversight Committee meeting, which unveiled many concerns.
Jonathan Shestack, founder and president of Cure Autism Now:
"The motion that you have before you is a recipe for no board involvement in the strategic planning. Yes, it is. It makes that possibility very real. it makes all input be at will of staff except for presentation at the ICOC meetings. These are large, fairly unwieldy meetings....I don't mean to be negative about the staff because they are expert and fantastic, and we depend on them, but there is right now no real mechanism on the strategic decisions for the various communities to participate, particularly advocacy and particularly industry. And I think that just giving the full duty to staff and saying present it to us once in a while, and we'll tell you what we think is not to get into the detail that some people would want."
David Serrano-Sewell, representing the
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association and National Multiple Sclerosis Society
"Commitments from the office of the (CIRM)president...just putting it in one individual -- for me, right now --is not enough. (During) my conversations with my appointing officer (the person who appointed Sewell to the CIRM board), there was a real commitment that we do a good job to represent our constituencies. and for me that's MS and ALS".
Shestack
"I also think there is a danger when all the positions -- academic, advocacy, industry -- are not talking to each other, talking only to a central person who then filters their needs."
Gerald Levey, dean of the UCLA Medical School
"I would hope that the board is not so balkanized that we think about who we represent and how we got here. i think now that we're a board, we're supposed to be thinking like we all have the same goal, the same purpose. and I would hope that the goal is to further stem cell research in the state of California -- not whether academia is being served better in the process or industry or what have you. So i hope that we don't get into a situation where we have us against them on the board."."
"The matter of the plan concluded at Friday's meeting with discussion of another plan to hold a conference-call meeting in the next few weeks of the Oversight Committee to vote on Hall's plan for the plan
One final note: Nineteen members of the 29-member Oversight Committee are required for a quorum. Otherwise, the board cannot take legal action.
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Human Tidbits Amid Stem Cell Policy
The California Stem Cell Report spends most of its time blathering about policy issues involving the California stem cell agency. Good grits for wonks. But there is another view. I just took a quick look at Don Reed's blog, stemcellbattles.com, and his report on last Friday's meeting of the Oversight Committee meeting. He focused on the "spotlight" on diabetes prior to the actual meeting. Nice, human touches and tidbits about the people and players you won't read elsewhere.
Valentine's Day Editorials on CIRM
Two California newspapers came out with editorials today praising actions last week by the California stem cell agency. It is only coincidental that the pieces appeared on Valentine's Day. The critics still want more.
The Sacramento Bee, one of the stronger critics of CIRM, said.
But it also wrote,
The San Jose Mercury News also praised the egg and royalty sharing policies adopted last week by CIRM.
The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights hitched a bit of a ride too on the Valentine Day bandwagon, lauding the actions as moving in the right direction.
But it urged more royalty money for the state, tougher enforcement mechanisms to assure low prices on therapies and creation of a stem cell patent pool to share information on CIRM-funded inventions.
We should also note the piece by Marisa Lagos of the San Francisco Examiner on last Friday's meeting. It pointed out that the CIRM regulations could become a model for the nation.
The Sacramento Bee, one of the stronger critics of CIRM, said.
"On Friday, Klein and the oversight committee took a big step toward reversing past mistakes and demonstrating they can operate as an open, responsive public body. After listening to public interest groups, ethicists and legislators, the 29-member committee approved policies on medical standards and commercial licensing of stem cell therapies that, while not perfect, are a vast improvement over where the institute was heading just a few months ago."
But it also wrote,
"For the last several months, the institute has refused to make public the economic disclosure forms filed by out-of-state scientists who will recommend millions of dollars in research grants. The public deserves to know if these advisers have ties to companies and researchers applying for public monies. Since scientists regularly disclose their potential conflicts when publishing or presenting their work, there is no reason they cannot do so while making key decisions on taxpayer-funded grants."
The San Jose Mercury News also praised the egg and royalty sharing policies adopted last week by CIRM.
The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights hitched a bit of a ride too on the Valentine Day bandwagon, lauding the actions as moving in the right direction.
But it urged more royalty money for the state, tougher enforcement mechanisms to assure low prices on therapies and creation of a stem cell patent pool to share information on CIRM-funded inventions.
"Certainly companies should make a fair profit on drugs they develop based on Proposition 71-funded research. But they must not be allowed to benefit unreasonably at the public's expense. The Attorney General should have the right to intervene -- 'march-in rights' -- in the event of unreasonable pricing," said John M. Simpson, stem cell project director for the foundation in a letter to CIRM Chairman Robert Klein.
We should also note the piece by Marisa Lagos of the San Francisco Examiner on last Friday's meeting. It pointed out that the CIRM regulations could become a model for the nation.
Reader's Write
The following email came in from John M. Simpson, stem cell project director of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, regarding our "What's in a Name?" item.
We encourage comments, favorable or unfavorable, or even insightful and enlightening. You can post them directly or anonymously by clicking on the word "comment" below each item. Or you can send them to djensen@californiastemcellreport.com.
"I liked your astute analysis of the naming rights issue.
"I agree that in a perfect world it wouldn’t happen, but given CIRM’s circumstances the institute probably needs the money.
"The ICOC will have to screen potential donors to make sure there are no outrageous or inappropriate contributions. That’s why the board is there.
"All the transactions must be completely transparent and organizations like the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights will continue to monitor ICOC activities to ensure no abuses occur."
We encourage comments, favorable or unfavorable, or even insightful and enlightening. You can post them directly or anonymously by clicking on the word "comment" below each item. Or you can send them to djensen@californiastemcellreport.com.
Monday, February 13, 2006
Egg Irony
LifeNews.com is a Web site adamantly opposed to embryonic stem cell research. It is describes itself as an enterprise that reaches 150,000 pro-life advocates each week through various means.
So it comes as a bit of a shock to see ads on at least one of its Web pages soliciting egg donors. One of the ad sites, Loving Donation, says it pays its egg donors a minimum of $3,000 with high demand donors commanding higher fees. The ads are placed on LifeNews.com pages automatically by Google so LifeNews.com has no direct control over them. It is also unclear whether any of the fertility clinics that advertise also supply excess eggs for research purposes.
The Google ads change regularly on Web pages so there is no guarantee that you will find them there in just the same way. But here is the link to the page where we saw them.
So it comes as a bit of a shock to see ads on at least one of its Web pages soliciting egg donors. One of the ad sites, Loving Donation, says it pays its egg donors a minimum of $3,000 with high demand donors commanding higher fees. The ads are placed on LifeNews.com pages automatically by Google so LifeNews.com has no direct control over them. It is also unclear whether any of the fertility clinics that advertise also supply excess eggs for research purposes.
The Google ads change regularly on Web pages so there is no guarantee that you will find them there in just the same way. But here is the link to the page where we saw them.
What's in a Name? Ten Million Dollars or More
California is not likely to see something called the Pfizer/CIRM Research Scholars Program, but the stem cell agency is on its way to peddling naming rights in the world's largest stem cell research effort.
Peddling probably is not the most generous way to describe the effort, which seems to be an essential ingredient in assuring funding of programs this year. A more euphemistic way to say it would be: Providing an incentive to make a $10 million gift to CIRM.
The Oversight Committee moved forward with the program last week after stem cell chairman Robert Klein said it would apply only to grants of $10 million or more. Naming rights would not be available to purchasers of bond anticipation notes.
Initial screening of the naming candidates would be done by the executive committee of CIRM in private. The names of candidates would then come before the Oversight Committee in a public session for approval or rejection.
Generally board members last week favored the program, declaring it was a good example of public/private partnerships. Klein said that universities have naming programs for lectureships, fellowships and buildings. Oversight Committee member Jeff Sheehy noted the NIH has a naming program for one of its grant efforts.
During his discussion of the plan, Klein implied that he has a potential donor who is very interested in a naming opportunity.
The naming proposal was discussed publicly as early as August during a Governance Subcommittee meeting (see page 66 of the transcript). It came up again late in the day at an Oversight Committee meeting September. It was then that it encountered its only serious opposition(see page 315 of the transcript).
Gayle Wilson, who is no longer a member of the Oversight Committee, said she did not know of other state agencies with similar programs outside of academic institutions. The wife of former Gov. Pete Wilson said, "I don't think it's a good idea. I think we'll be blasted for it."
Tina Nova, another Oversight Committee member and president of Genoptix, a San Diego biotech and lab firm, said,
Nova did not express opposition to the plan on Friday, but she may have left the meeting by the time it came up late in the session. (It is difficult to keep track of the comings and goings of the 29 committee members, particularly late in the meetings.)
Jesse Reynolds of the Center for Genetics and Society voiced the only public opposition to the plan. He said it could "open the door to real or perceived conflicts of interest." For example, he said it would be inappropriate to grant naming rights to Geron, a California stem cell firm. Klein said he was in "heated agreement" on that position.
Our judgment: In a perfect world, CIRM should not do this. But it needs the money and this is relatively benign, although experience tells us that bigtime donors generally expect a quid pro quo. Sometimes they are innocuous (say front row seats at the exciting Oversight Committee meetings). Other times, CIRM officials may have to vigorously resist inappropriate overtures from the $10 million donors. But that is part of the public responsibilities of CIRM executives and board members. Failure to do so will ultimately surface (there are no secrets in government) and embarrass the agency and the officials personally.
Peddling probably is not the most generous way to describe the effort, which seems to be an essential ingredient in assuring funding of programs this year. A more euphemistic way to say it would be: Providing an incentive to make a $10 million gift to CIRM.
The Oversight Committee moved forward with the program last week after stem cell chairman Robert Klein said it would apply only to grants of $10 million or more. Naming rights would not be available to purchasers of bond anticipation notes.
Initial screening of the naming candidates would be done by the executive committee of CIRM in private. The names of candidates would then come before the Oversight Committee in a public session for approval or rejection.
Generally board members last week favored the program, declaring it was a good example of public/private partnerships. Klein said that universities have naming programs for lectureships, fellowships and buildings. Oversight Committee member Jeff Sheehy noted the NIH has a naming program for one of its grant efforts.
During his discussion of the plan, Klein implied that he has a potential donor who is very interested in a naming opportunity.
The naming proposal was discussed publicly as early as August during a Governance Subcommittee meeting (see page 66 of the transcript). It came up again late in the day at an Oversight Committee meeting September. It was then that it encountered its only serious opposition(see page 315 of the transcript).
Gayle Wilson, who is no longer a member of the Oversight Committee, said she did not know of other state agencies with similar programs outside of academic institutions. The wife of former Gov. Pete Wilson said, "I don't think it's a good idea. I think we'll be blasted for it."
Tina Nova, another Oversight Committee member and president of Genoptix, a San Diego biotech and lab firm, said,
"I can see a lot of downside because, as we all know, people are constantly trying to figure out what are the motivations, what are the hidden agendas. At the end of the day, people who are trying to support this initiative in a pure sense ought to be doing it for the benefit of seeing the research advance and not for the benefit of seeing their name associated with fellows who are trained. So I think I'm probably more cautious because I do wonder if at the end of the day we could create more challenges and if it really does help us that much."
Nova did not express opposition to the plan on Friday, but she may have left the meeting by the time it came up late in the session. (It is difficult to keep track of the comings and goings of the 29 committee members, particularly late in the meetings.)
Jesse Reynolds of the Center for Genetics and Society voiced the only public opposition to the plan. He said it could "open the door to real or perceived conflicts of interest." For example, he said it would be inappropriate to grant naming rights to Geron, a California stem cell firm. Klein said he was in "heated agreement" on that position.
Our judgment: In a perfect world, CIRM should not do this. But it needs the money and this is relatively benign, although experience tells us that bigtime donors generally expect a quid pro quo. Sometimes they are innocuous (say front row seats at the exciting Oversight Committee meetings). Other times, CIRM officials may have to vigorously resist inappropriate overtures from the $10 million donors. But that is part of the public responsibilities of CIRM executives and board members. Failure to do so will ultimately surface (there are no secrets in government) and embarrass the agency and the officials personally.
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Still Coming Up
We have not forgotten our promise for more exciting items from Friday's meeting, particularly the item about naming rights and the strategic plan flap. We still are planning on those and much, much more. So stay in your seats, folks. However, this time we are not going to promise a specific time frame. But certainly sooner than Bob Klein comes up with his $50 million(see item down one from here.)
CIRM-UK Stem Cell Conference Later This Year
The California stem cell agency plans to co-host a joint conference with the United Kingdom's Medical Research Council and CIRM later this year in Great Britain.
Zach Hall, president of CIRM, announced the plans at Friday's Oversight Committee meeting. He said 16 US scientists and 16 UK scientists would convene to discuss stem cell self-renewal and differentiation.
Hall noted that Council is the equivalent to the National Institutes of Health in the United States and that it is unusual for a state organization and a foreign national council to co-host such a conference. The arrangement carries particular weight because the UK is an international leader in stem cell research.
"California has become sort of a surrogate for the U.S. effort on stem cell research," Hall said. The CIRM president credited Stephen Lynn of the British consulate in California with helping to put together the conference.
Lynn is one of the regular attendees at CIRM meetings and keeps close track of its affairs. We also should add that we know of at least several readers of the California Stem Cell Report with UK connections.
Hall said that his agency still must raise funds to uphold its end of the conference.
Zach Hall, president of CIRM, announced the plans at Friday's Oversight Committee meeting. He said 16 US scientists and 16 UK scientists would convene to discuss stem cell self-renewal and differentiation.
Hall noted that Council is the equivalent to the National Institutes of Health in the United States and that it is unusual for a state organization and a foreign national council to co-host such a conference. The arrangement carries particular weight because the UK is an international leader in stem cell research.
"California has become sort of a surrogate for the U.S. effort on stem cell research," Hall said. The CIRM president credited Stephen Lynn of the British consulate in California with helping to put together the conference.
Lynn is one of the regular attendees at CIRM meetings and keeps close track of its affairs. We also should add that we know of at least several readers of the California Stem Cell Report with UK connections.
Hall said that his agency still must raise funds to uphold its end of the conference.
Klein Confirms $40 Million Commitment
Stem cell chairman Robert Klein says he is not expecting to be ready to have $50 million to hand over to the stem cell agency at its next scheduled meeting in April, but he says he is close.
During a brief interview following Friday's Oversight Committee meeting, we asked him for more details on his efforts to sell bond anticipation notes to fund the activities of the agency. He said he has more than $40 million in commitments but wants $50 million. Then, Klein said, the state treasurer's office will have to take five to six weeks to complete the paperwork, but he declined to go into more detail.
The notes are expected to be sold to philanthropic organizations. If CIRM loses the lawsuits against it, the notes will not be repaid.
The agency will run out of money in June under its present budget plan.
During a brief interview following Friday's Oversight Committee meeting, we asked him for more details on his efforts to sell bond anticipation notes to fund the activities of the agency. He said he has more than $40 million in commitments but wants $50 million. Then, Klein said, the state treasurer's office will have to take five to six weeks to complete the paperwork, but he declined to go into more detail.
The notes are expected to be sold to philanthropic organizations. If CIRM loses the lawsuits against it, the notes will not be repaid.
The agency will run out of money in June under its present budget plan.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)