CGS-authored
Proposition 71 would cut the link between science and democracy.
Daniel Sarewitz is a professor of science and society at Arizona State University and director of its Consortium for Science, Policy, and Outcomes.
October 25, 2004
There's no doubt that the emerging revolution in life sciences will profoundly transform society in the coming decades. The question Californians now need to ask themselves is whether they want to abdicate control of this transformation and hand it over entirely to scientists and the private sector. If they do, then Proposition 71, the California Stem Cell Research and Cures Act, is the way to go.
Biomedical scientists, patient advocacy groups and others have reason to be frustrated by the restrictions President Bush has placed on stem cell research. But Proposition 71 asks voters to cure these frustrations by undermining their own democratic safeguards and institutions.
Proposition 71 creates an unprecedented state constitutional "right to conduct stem cell research." It sets aside $3 billion of public spending for stem cell research _ and then insulates that money from meaningful public or legislative accountability. It...
Daniel Sarewitz is a professor of science and society at Arizona State University and director of its Consortium for Science, Policy, and Outcomes.
October 25, 2004
There's no doubt that the emerging revolution in life sciences will profoundly transform society in the coming decades. The question Californians now need to ask themselves is whether they want to abdicate control of this transformation and hand it over entirely to scientists and the private sector. If they do, then Proposition 71, the California Stem Cell Research and Cures Act, is the way to go.
Biomedical scientists, patient advocacy groups and others have reason to be frustrated by the restrictions President Bush has placed on stem cell research. But Proposition 71 asks voters to cure these frustrations by undermining their own democratic safeguards and institutions.
Proposition 71 creates an unprecedented state constitutional "right to conduct stem cell research." It sets aside $3 billion of public spending for stem cell research _ and then insulates that money from meaningful public or legislative accountability. It...