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Appeals Court Backs Stem Cell Institute

A San Francisco appeals court Feb. 26 ruled in favor of the state’s stem cell institute, upholding a lower court’s ruling.

Groups that challenged the voter-approved $3 billion for stem cell research said it was unconstitutional partly because overseers of the San Francisco-based California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, who select grant recipients, are not elected.

“I always believed the courts would uphold the will of California voters,” Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said in a press release issued by his office Feb. 26. “Stem cell research holds our best promise to find a cure for debilitating illnesses, like Parkinson’s disease and diabetes. I’m also proud of California’s leadership.”

The 1st District Court of Appeals had until mid-May to render a decision. If the opposing parties, including the People’s Advocate and the National Tax Limitation Foundation, appeal the most recent decision, the case would go to the California Supreme Court.

Voters approved the funding through Proposition 71 in 2004. Those who sued are at least partially funded by anti-abortion groups. An Alameda County Superior Court sided with the CIRM in November 2005. The institute awarded its first research grants this month totaling $24 million, made possible through private donations and/or state loans.

, Katie Weeks

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