NJ stem cell initiative shot down at the polls

By all accounts, New Jersey's referendum to back embryonic stem cell research with $450 million in borrowed funds--working much like California's heralded $3 billion program--was supposed to be something of a cakewalk. Instead, proponents like Governor Jon Corzine were body slammed with a resounding 53 percent of the electorate coming out against the ESC proposal. Analysts credit a loose alliance of conservatives and Catholics who unleashed a campaign against the proposal in the final days leading to yesterday's vote. Backers say that the real message is that the voters are wary of New Jersey's rising debt level and they may try again later. New Jersey made our 2006 list of the top five regions targeting biotech business.

- read the article from The New York Times

Related Articles:
NJ lawmakers back $270M stem cell program. Report
In New Jersey, biotech industry is booming. Report