Call for head of California stem cell institute to resign

An California biotechnology group has called for the resignation of Robert Klein, who is the chairman of the Proposition 71 stem cell agency known as the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine.

Jesse Reynolds, stem cell specialist at the group, the Center for Genetics and Society, said the Prop. 71 enterprise needs a fresh start after a year in business. This despite the fact that the institute has been mired in litigation that has blocked its ability to distribute funding into stem cell research projects.

The Oakland, CA advocacy group gave the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine an overall grade of "C-minus" in the 32-page report which examines how Prop. 71 has been implemented.

Most of the critique focused on inadequate governance and for providing more health protection for women who may be recruited as stem cell research subjects.

Klein, who is a Stanford-educated lawyer and real estate developer, was the key proponent in the proposition and led the 2004 election campaign after he became convinced that California needed to advance stem cell research to cure common diseases.

Prop. 71 provides for a $3 billion, 10-year fund to stimulate stem cell research in California ..

Read it all out in San Francisco - Call for head of stem cell institute to resign Biotech watchdog says Prop. 71 agency needs a fresh start