Meanwhile, says the Union-Tribune, other governments are investing heavily. The UK has committed $1.3 billion over 10 years. China is wooing scientists back home, promising resources beyond their imagination. Singapore is funding the sci-fi-sounding Biopolis. And so on.
Back home, the moral and ethical debate rolls on. Some forward-thinking states are attempting to bypass Washington altogether and give a boost to their local economies. In New Jersey came the latest example : $7 million next year on finding new medical treatments and $270 million on stem cell research facilities in Camden and New Brunswick, NJ. California, Connecticut, Illinois, and Maryland have also forked out their own funding.
As PRWeek's Lisa LaMotta pointed out (sub req'd) post-election, the Missouri ballot initiative this November proved that quantity didn't mean clarity when it came to communicating about embryonic stem-cell research. In other words, folks are as confused as ever.
Job available: communicator capable of simplifying embryonic stem cell debate. Must be able to convey to public what it means, what's at stake, and whether I should listen to Michael J. Fox or Rush Limbaugh. Start ASAP.