Tapping its bond program, the New Jersey legislature has agreed to borrow $270 million to back new research into stem cells. The bulk of that money will go to a stem cell research facility at Rutgers, a research center at Rutgers-Camden and the New Jersey Institute of Techology's stem cell research center. New Jersey has been a leader in supporting the controversial science, awarding the first actual cash support for stem cell research last year. California has a multibillion-dollar bond program to support stem cell research, which has been held up in state courts. New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine has made it clear that he's ready to sign the bill. In the meantime, Connecticut has also handed out stem cell grants and a group of lawmakers in Illinois is proposing a $25 million program.
- read the report on stem cell research from the International Herald Tribune