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CIRM Update (Part I [Sept. 10, 2009])
In 2004 proponents of Proposition 71, the “California Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative,” promised that taxpayer money — $3 billion dollars’ worth — would be spent to conduct research and to construct research facilities that would produce cures. As predicted by Life Legal, there have been no cures. In fact, with all that is developing with alternatives to embryonic stem cell research, California’s Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) appears to be getting a little desperate. Slowly sinking into irrelevance, CIRM has launched what appears to be a massive public relations and education campaign to create what they identify as a “stem cell science culture.” This is precisely what was predicted by the taxpayer advocacy groups Life Legal represented in litigation challenging the initial authority to fund CIRM.
According to the text of Proposition 71, the governing board of CIRM does not have the authority to appropriate funds for grants or loans in any category other than research and facilities. Nowhere is funding for education or raising public support authorized.
But now, according to information available on its own website, in the past year alone CIRM has approved upwards of $117 million on grant awards and general funds spending for the stated purpose of educating, raising interest in stem cell research, and guaranteeing that stem cell research remains politically popular for years to come. In CIRM’s own words the goal is to “[e]ncourage the development of a ‘stem cell science culture’ in California by taking a leadership role in educating and informing the general public, including special interest groups and California students of all ages.”
In keeping with its mission, LLDF is committed to exposing CIRM for its use of public money when that use includes “educating and informing” the public in order to promulgate the destruction of innocent human life through embryonic stem cell research. On one hand, any funds spent on CIRM’s education campaign deflect the use of these funds from killing embryos. On the other, taxpayer funds are being wasted so that the public is “educated,” thereby ensuring ongoing funding for CIRM’s clone and kill agenda for years to come.
Over the next few weeks you will be receiving a series of messages detailing how CIRM funds are being allocated towards educating you and your children.
“Stem Cell Awareness Day”
Cost: unknown
The second annual “Stem Cell Awareness Day” is set for September 23, 2009. The event is to be celebrated by proclamations, speeches, awareness activities and at least one contest. CIRM employees, including its chief press agent Don Gibbons, are heading up an international stem cell poetry contest at CIRM. While it is not clear how much money CIRM is expending on this, it is expending at least some of the time of its paid employees. Exactly what a poetry contest contributes to conducting scientific research or to constructing research facilities remains unclear.
This type of effort is indicative of CIRM’s goal of developing a “stem cell culture” in California. At a recent meeting of CIRM’s board of directors, CIRM president Dr. Allen Trounson confirmed CIRM’s continuing commitment to developing cultural support for stem cell research and inspiring pride in stem cell achievements. He concluded that public education efforts were very important for CIRM. A staff-provided update on “Stem Cell Awareness Day” at the same meeting indicated that CIRM will be providing scientists to go into the classrooms of at least 50 high schools in conjunction with this event. CIRM staff indicated that they see this day as a way to create what they describe as a “grassroots effort” in support of stem cell research. Just how “grassroots” any effort can be when it is fueled by taxpayer money remains unclear.
Stay Tuned . . .
The next email update on this topic will detail more of the education that CIRM is funding — particularly the education aimed at your teenagers and children in California public schools.
CIRM Update (Part II [Sept. 25, 2009])
A stated goal of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine is to “[e]ncourage the development of a ‘stem cell science culture’ in California by taking a leadership role in educating and informing the general public, including special interest groups and California students of all ages.”1 As you can see from this quote, CIRM has become committed to educating the public about the desirability of stem cell research, particularly embryonic stem cell research to which most of CIRM’s resources are dedicated.
This email is the second in a series that you will be receiving, the purpose of which is to inform you of how a portion of the $3 billion taxpayer dollars at CIRM’s disposal is being spent to “educate” you and your children.2 Keep in mind that according to the text of Proposition 71, the governing board of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine does not have the authority to appropriate funds for grants or loans in any category other than research and facilities. Nowhere is funding for education or raising public support authorized.
The “California Stem Cell Education Initiative Project”
Cost: at least $41,000.00
CIRM is funding education efforts aimed at teenagers and children. According to contract records, CIRM allocated $41,022 to Laurel Barchas for the “Stem Cell Education Initiative Project.” The contract is to run from February 16, 2009 through September 1, 2009.3 This project appears to consist of an education outreach effort at UC Berkeley, a Facebook Cause, and a Facebook Group (created by Laurel Barchas). The stated goal of the project is to open a dialogue between CIRM and young people. Through the California Stem Cell Education Initiative, undergraduate students, graduate students and post-doctorate level scientists present “unbiased” educational materials to high school students “so they might be inspired to participate more fully in an important aspect of the California economy: stem cell research and biotechnology.”4 The group makes no secret of the fact that it receives funding from CIRM.
The related program at U.C. Berkeley, its Stem Cell Education Outreach Program, holds weekly meetings at the U.C. Berkeley Campus with the goal of increasing outreach programs at community colleges and universities throughout California. Their premise is, “Everyone should have a say in the development of new technology like regenerative medicine. This begins with educating people at a younger age about the potential and implications of stem cell research.”5 To this end they also lecture at local middle school and high school biology classes on the science and ethics of stem cell research.6
Stay Tuned . . .
The next email update on this topic will detail CIRM’s funding of education through an international organization and political lobbying – all paid for with your tax dollars.
1 The Administrative and Operational Goals of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Strategic Plan Draft at p. 4 (emphasis added).
2 Unless otherwise indicated, information has been taken from the Governance Subcommittee’s July 21, 2009 Meeting Agenda Item Summary Chart.
3
CHART for 7.21.09 Gov Sub.072109 Governance Contracts Summary [PDF].
4
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=58048819070&ref=mf.
5
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=58048819070&ref=mf;
http://apps.facebook.com/causes/12461?as_id=410866&as_type=Sharing.
6
http://stsc.berkeley.edu/Projects/STSC_StemCell_Education.htm.
CIRM Update (Part III [Oct. 16, 2009])
In 2004, proponents of Proposition 71, the “California Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative,” promised that taxpayer money—$3 billion dollars’ worth—would be spent to conduct research and to construct research facilities that would produce cures for disease. It is noteworthy that to date no cures or therapies have resulted from embryonic stem cell research.
According to the text of Proposition 71, the governing board of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine does not have the authority to appropriate funds for grants or loans in any category other than research and facilities. Nowhere is funding for education or raising public support authorized.
This email is the third in this series the purpose of which is to make you aware of the available information on how CIRM is spending your taxpayer dollars to educate you and your children about, among other things, the ethical propriety of embryonic stem cell research.1
The International Society for Stem Cell Research
Cost: $100,000
The International Society for Stem Cell Research “is the world’s only international, multidisciplinary society focused on stem cell science.” Its members represent five continents.2 According to its mission statement, ISSCR was established “to promote and foster the exchange and dissemination of information and ideas relating to stem cells, to encourage the general field of research involving stem cells and to promote professional and public education in all areas of stem cell research and application.”3
From October 2008 through June 2009 CIRM had a $100,000 contract with ISSCR, the purpose of which was stated as “Public communication and education.”4 (This amount does not include $9,840 that was allocated for registration and membership fees). Beyond the purpose statement, it is not clear what specifically this contract involved. But there is no attempt to claim that it had anything to do with funding research or funding facilities construction. Furthermore, this “public communication and education” quite possibly occurred in locations outside of California, since the ISSCR is an international organization.
Political Lobbying for “Public Education”
Cost: at least $104,200
From January 2008 through December 2009, CIRM has two consecutive contracts with Nielsen, Merksamer LLP, a prominent California law and lobbying firm. The contracts are for $49,200 and $55,000, respectively. The purpose of the contracts as stated is “Public Education” without further explanation.5 But based on the fact that Nielsen Merksamer is a legal and political lobbying firm, “public education” quite possible includes political lobbying. Besides the two listed contracts, it appears that Nielson Merksamer has been on the CIRM payroll since its inception. Capitol Weekly said Merksamer is “is one of the state’s most influential political-legal players. His 16-lawyer firm is involved in a myriad of political issues and dispenses legal advice and political strategy to a national and international big-business clientele.”6 No wonder CIRM hires this firm to keep its interests squarely within the sights of the powers that be in Sacramento—after all, the taxpayers fit the bill.
Stay Tuned . . .
The next email update on this topic will detail education occurring through CIRM grant funding. In keeping with its mission, LLDF is committed to exposing CIRM for its use of public money when that use includes “educating and informing” the public in order to promulgate the destruction of innocent human life through embryonic stem cell research. On the one hand, any funds spent on CIRM’s education campaign deflect the use of these funds from killing embryos. On the other, taxpayer funds are being wasted so that the public is “educated,” thereby ensuring ongoing funding for CIRM’s clone and kill agenda for years to come.
1 Unless otherwise indicated, information has been taken from the Governance Subcommittee’s July 21, 2009 Meeting Agenda Item Summary Chart.
2 ISSCR media information.
3 ISSCR mission statement.
4(At page 3 of the report).
5(At page 4 of the report.)
6 See Stem Cells and Three California Movers (californiastemcellreport.blogspot.com, April 16, 2009).
CIRM Update (Part IV [Oct. 30, 2009])
Life Legal Defense Foundation remains committed to do all in its power to prevent the destruction of innocent human life that occurs through human embryonic stem cell research. You will recall that in previous email alerts we have spotlighted the use of California taxpayer dollars not only to fund embryonic stem cell research, but also attempts to use taxpayer dollars to “educate” the public about this research.
This email is the fourth in this series and will detail one of the grant funding programs that the Governing Board of CIRM has approved and how this grant program impacts the education of your children.
Training Grants
$77.5 million
The description of the Training Grants is to “Support pre-doctoral, post-doctoral and clinical fellow students in stem cell research labs.” LLDF challenged the initial round of Training Grants in litigation that also challenged CIRM’s authority and the constitutionality of Proposition 71. You may recall that the litigation concluded in 2007 when the California Supreme Court denied LLDF’s Petition for Review. The Court upheld CIRM’s structure as proper under the California Constitution, and also upheld the initial round of Training Grants as legitimate under Proposition 71’s purpose. The Court cited the fact that these education grants actually include a substantial amount of research since they fund mainly doctorate and post-doctorate level studies which necessarily involve research as part of the coursework.1 Thus despite the name “Training Grant” and the admitted education which the grants involve, including ethics education, these grants have been considered to be within the purpose of Proposition 71.
There have so far been two rounds of Training Grants, the latest being in January 2009. Combined, the resources spent on this type of grant are $77.5 million, for a total distribution of 31 grants.2
The Training Grants demonstrate the expansive view that has been taken of the limits of CIRM’s purpose, and therefore of its authority. Although upheld by the courts, these grants represent the first instance of CIRM expanding on the meaning of “research” to include substantial amounts of education. Unfortunately it has not been the last. California’s Senate Bill 471 was signed into law by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on October 11, 2009. You may recall LLDF’s email alert on this bill when it was in the California Assembly back in July.
Stay Tuned . . .
The next email update will include an overview of the final version of SB 471, the California Stem Cell and Biotechnology Education and Workforce Development Act of 2009, signed into law by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on Monday, October 11, 2009. This bill opens the door for CIRM to partner with the State Department of Education to teach California’s children about embryonic stem cell research and cloning.
1 Family Bio. v. Institute for Regen., 147 Cal.App.4th 1319, 1361 (2007).
2 http://www.cirm.ca.gov/GrantsSummary.
CIRM Update (Part V [Nov. 14, 2009])
The California Stem Cell and
Biotechnology Education and
Workforce Development Act of 2009
SB 471, the California Stem Cell and Biotechnology Education and Workforce Development Act of 2009, was signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on Monday, October 11, 2009.1 You may recall LLDF’s email alert on this bill when it was in the California Assembly back in July.
Justification for the bill declares that California will soon face shortages of trained professionals to fill jobs in the life sciences sector, and will face a widespread shortage of college educated and technically trained workers to meet industry demands. The bill points out that this gap between supply and demand for trained workers is exacerbated by an alarming high school dropout rate (although it does nothing to address this component of the perceived problem).2 With this background, the goal of SB 471 is to make stem cell and biotechnology education and workforce development a state priority and to promote stronger links among industry sectors, the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), and the California public schools.3 The major components of SB 471 are as follows:
- It requires the California Department of Education in consultation with CIRM and representatives of the biotechnology industry to promote stem cell and biotechnology education and workforce development in existing education programs including each of the following:
- (a) The California Health Science Educators Institute (which helps fund school systems that are developing health science career pathways);4
- (b) The Health Science Capacity Building Project (which is aimed at producing programs to train workers for healthcare jobs);5
- (c) The California Partnership Academies (a three-year high school program designed to integrate academic and career instruction);6
- (d) The Regional Science Resource Centers;7
- (e) The California Career Resource Network, including the State Agency Partners Committee;7
- (f) Multiple Pathway programs (which are study programs that connect classroom instruction with applications outside of school);8
- (g) The K-12 High Speed Network (aimed at providing access to high speed network and Internet services to students and teachers).9
- SB 471 further requires the State Department of Education to post on its website information and links to information about the following:
- (a) Biotechnology education programs, including those identified by the biotechnology industry;
- (b) The CIRM education initiatives and related stem cell education and workforce development programs.
- It lastly requires the Department of Education to post on its website CIRM’s model curriculum on stem cell science, and it requires the Department to communicate the availability of this curriculum to all science teachers and school districts.10
The final bill analysis predicted a cost of \$65,000 for a time span of 2009–2012.11 Although this price tag seems high for the average taxpayer with a tight budget in difficult economic times, the original version of the bill had a predicted cost of approximately \$700,000.12 The original cost arose largely from the requirement that the Department of Education incorporate stem cell science content into its next curriculum revision; it further called for the U.C. Regents to consult with various entities in developing a curriculum for the California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science.13 These provisions were removed from the final version of the bill.
Life Legal Defense Foundation opposed the passage of SB 471 on several grounds, including the suggested collaboration between CIRM and the Department of Education. Although stem cell science education in and of itself is good, any education that came through CIRM would have an unfortunate bias in favor of embryonic stem cell research over the proven success of adult and cord blood stem cell research based on the fact that CIRM is almost exclusively focused on funding embryonic stem cell research. CIRM recently announced that grant awards largely included funding for adult stem cell research, causing their spokesperson to effectively concede that adult stem cell research is the best in terms of producing results.14 And that is what LLDF and others have been saying all along. Even so, CIRM’s operational authority arises from Proposition 71, which does not contain any provision for CIRM to be involved in education efforts on any level. Thus, CIRM’s collaboration with the Department of Education would be simply one more instance of CIRM’s disregard for the limits on its authority as stated in Proposition 71.
Stay Tuned . . .
Look for the next, and for now what will be the last email update in the series on this topic, which will explain more about CIRM’s funding of “Bridges to Stem Cell Research Grants (Bridges).” CIRM has appropriated approximately \$40 million of the \$6 billion they were “authorized” to spend to Bridges—all paid for with your tax dollars.
1 See article, California Stem Cell Report Blog, October 12, 2009.
2 See Section 1 (h) and (i), in bill text.
3The bill adds several sections to the Education Code: Article 13 (commencing with Section 33475) to Chapter 3 of Part 20 of Division 2 of Title 2 of the Education Code.
4 See information available.
5 Id.
6 Id.
7 See http://www.californiacareers.info/; http://www.californiacareers.info/partners.
8 See note 4.
9 Id. and see section 33475.3; bill text.
10 See section 33475.5.
11 See Senate analysis as of September 9, 2009.
12 See the Appropriations committee floor analysis of August 19, 2009.
13 See summary of bill analysis.
14 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/29/health/research/29stem.html?_r=2
CIRM Update (Part VI [Nov. 30, 2009])
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine has stated that one of its goals is to “[e]ncourage the development of a ‘stem cell science culture’ in California by taking a leadership role in educating and informing the general public, including special interest groups and California students of all ages.”1
This email is the sixth, and for now the last, in a series that you will be receiving, the purpose of which is to inform you of how CIRM funds—your taxpayer dollars—are being spent to educate you and your children.2 Keep in mind that according to the text of Proposition 71, the governing board of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine does not have the authority to appropriate funds for grants or loans in any category other than research and facilities. Nowhere is funding for education or raising public support legally authorized.
Bridges to Stem Cell Research Grants
Cost: \$40 million
CIRM describes the purpose of the “Bridges to Stem Cell Research” Grants on its website: “[To] train undergraduate and masters students in state-of-the-art stem cell research techniques.”3 The initial round of Bridges Grants was awarded January 1, 2009: \$40 million for 15 grants. From the descriptions provided by the successful grant applicants, it is apparent that these grants are for pure education, including in some instances education of the general public. They openly admit that part of the goal is to influence the next generation of voters in favor of ongoing stem cell research and to recruit young people into the field. The funding is aimed at education at a low enough academic level that minimal research could be involved, unlike the Training Grants which funded at least some doctoral and post-doctoral research. (The Training Grants were discussed in LLDF’s email of October 30, 2009 [http://lldf.org/articles/CIRM_SERIES_Sep2009]).
As one successful applicant’s program description states, “[in order] to . . . maintain government and public support for stem cell research, stem cell education needs to be accessible to all university students, since some students will become an integral part of the stem cell workforce and many others will make up the large body of future governing officials and voting voices.”4 Another indicates “The first [major goal] is educating the public about the medical, biological and technological advances of stem cell research and recruiting new scientists into the workforce.” As the description points out, an appreciation for stem cell biology and technology “will have a significant impact on our society given the role of the voting population in the funding and promoting of advanced technologies.”5
San Jose State University’s plan includes “increase[ing] awareness about scientific and societal issues related to stem cell biology and regenerative medicine among non-science majors.” This is to be achieved by “development of curricular materials appropriate for non-science majors to be included in a general education course. Materials developed for this course will be refined for wider online distribution and made available for inclusion in other biology courses at our university and elsewhere.”6
As these examples illustrate, a significant goal of the Bridges Grants is to influence public awareness and perception of stem cell research. While many State agencies take measures to educate the public as part of their operations, education emanating from CIRM will in all likelihood be biased in favor of conducting human embryonic stem cell research and will seek to persuade the public that such research is desirable and ethical since it is primarily embryonic stem cell research that CIRM was created to fund.7 What better way for CIRM to silence the voice of opposition to its wholesale destruction of human life that to persuade the voting population that its programs are ethical?
The need to keep California lawmakers accountable for their use of public funds has never been more apparent. As CIRM’s board of directors continues to spend taxpayer money on inappropriate attempts to shape the culture and values of Californians, LLDF will seek appropriate ways to limit these efforts so that none of the \$3 billion dollars CIRM is authorized to spend on stem cell research and facilities is used for the improper purpose of education — indoctrinating your children with the philosophy than it is ethical to destroy innocent human life.
1 The Administrative and Operational Goals of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Strategic Plan Draft at p. 4 (emphasis added).
2 Unless otherwise indicated, information has been taken from the Governance Subcommittee’s July 21, 2009 Meeting Agenda Item Summary Chart.
3 http://www.cirm.ca.gov/GrantsSummary.
4 http://www.cirm.ca.gov/?q=node/235.
5 http://www.cirm.ca.gov/?q=node/237.
6 http://www.cirm.ca.gov/?q=node/367.
7 CIRM recently announced that grant awards largely included funding for adult stem cell research, causing their spokesperson to effectively concede that adult stem cell research is the best in terms of producing results. (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/29/health/research/29stem.html?_r=3)
