Group urges $200 million for stem-cell research [Florida]

WEST PALM BEACH _ Florida would give $200 million over 10 years to human embryonic stem-cell research under a constitutional amendment proposal drafted by Floridians for Stem Cell Research and Cures.

The proposal's language, released Wednesday, is designed to avoid the pitfalls that have beset California's $3 billion stem-cell initiative, which passed in late 2004 but has yet to be financed. It would put the Florida Department of Health in charge of issuing money to qualified scientists and would issue the grants only to nonprofit research institutions.

Palm Beach County Commissioner Burt Aaronson, who launched the group, hopes to put the measure on the ballot in time for the November 2006 election. To do that, he will have to gather 611,000 signatures from registered voters by Dec. 31.

Embryonic stem cells are controversial because of their origin: In most cases, they are the leftovers from fertility clinics, allowed to grow in culture a few days beyond fertilization.

Scientists believe they have the potential to become almost any type of cell. They are working to coax such cells into nerve, heart...