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In 2004, Californians approved a $3 bllion bond to fund stem cell research. That money has been pretty much used up and the original backers want to replenish it. Prop 14 is a five-point $5 billion bond to pay for future stem cell research, training, and trials.
Stem cells are the body’s equivalent of a wild card. They are “blank” cells that can develop into cells with a specific purpose. Scientists are trying to use them to find cures for cancer, to fix failing organs, and to develop drugs. If Prop 14 passes, almost a quarter of the money raised would be used to try to fix brain and nervous system diseases, like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
Who is backing Prop 14? A pretty big list of patient advocacy organizations, scientists, doctors, and specifically a man named Robert Klein. He develops real estate in Silicon Valley, and he was the first board chair of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (or CIRM), which oversees stem cell research. He’s dropped more than $4.5 million dollars to get this on the ballot.
Who’s against Prop 14? For one...