LOS ANGELES (AP) The creation of California's stem cell agency in 2004 was greeted by scientists and patients as a turning point in a field mired in debates about the destruction of embryos and hampered by federal research restrictions.

The taxpayer-funded institute wielded the extraordinary power to dole out $3 billion in bond proceeds to fund embryonic stem cell work with an eye toward treatments for a host of crippling diseases. Midway through its mission, with several high-tech labs constructed, but little to show on the medicine front beyond basic research, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine faces an uncertain future.

Is it still relevant nearly eight years later? And will it still exist when the money dries up?

The answers could depend once again on voters and whether they're willing to extend the life of the agency.

Several camps that support stem cell research think taxpayers should not pay another cent given the state's budget woes.

"It would be so wrong to ask Californians to pony up more money," said Marcy Darnovsky of the Center for Genetics and Society, a pro-stem cell research group that opposed Proposition 71, the state ballot initiative that formed CIRM.

Last December, CIRM's former chairman, Robert Klein, who used his fortune and political connections to create Prop 71, floated the possibility of another referendum.

CIRM leaders have shelved the idea of going back to voters for now, but may consider it down the road. The institute recently submitted a transition plan to Gov. Jerry Brown and the Legislature that assumes it will no longer be taxpayer-supported after the bond money runs out. CIRM is exploring creating a nonprofit version of itself and tapping other players to carry on its work.

"The goal is to keep the momentum going," board Chairman Jonathan Thomas said in an interview.

So far, CIRM has spent some $1.3 billion on infrastructure and research. At the current pace, it will earmark the last grants in 2016 or 2017. Since most are multi-year awards, it is expected to stay in business until 2021.

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Stem cell agency ponders its future

By ALICIA CHANG AP Science Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) - The creation of California's stem cell agency in 2004 was greeted by scientists and patients as a turning point in a field mired in debates about the destruction of embryos and hampered by federal research restrictions.

The taxpayer-funded institute wielded the extraordinary power to dole out $3 billion in bond proceeds to fund embryonic stem cell work with an eye toward treatments for a host of crippling diseases. Midway through its mission, with several high-tech labs constructed, but little to show on the medicine front beyond basic research, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine faces an uncertain future.

Is it still relevant nearly eight years later? And will it still exist when the money dries up?

The answers could depend once again on voters and whether they're willing to extend the life of the agency.

Several camps that support stem cell research think taxpayers should not pay another cent given the state's budget woes.

"It would be so wrong to ask Californians to pony up more money," said Marcy Darnovsky of the Center for Genetics and Society, a pro-stem cell research group that opposed Proposition 71, the state ballot initiative that formed CIRM.

Last December, CIRM's former chairman, Robert Klein, who used his fortune and political connections to create Prop 71, floated the possibility of another referendum.

CIRM leaders have shelved the idea of going back to voters for now, but may consider it down the road. The institute recently submitted a transition plan to Gov. Jerry Brown and the Legislature that assumes it will no longer be taxpayer-supported after the bond money runs out. CIRM is exploring creating a nonprofit version of itself and tapping other players to carry on its work.

"The goal is to keep the momentum going," board Chairman Jonathan Thomas said in an interview.

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Hometownstations.com-WLIO- Lima, OH News Weather SportsCalifornia's stem cell agency ponders its future

LOS ANGELES (AP) The creation of California's stem cell agency in 2004 was greeted by scientists and patients as a turning point in a field mired in debates about the destruction of embryos and hampered by federal research restrictions.

The taxpayer-funded institute wielded the extraordinary power to dole out $3 billion in bond proceeds to fund embryonic stem cell work with an eye toward treatments for a host of crippling diseases. Midway through its mission, with several high-tech labs constructed, but little to show on the medicine front beyond basic research, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine faces an uncertain future.

Is it still relevant nearly eight years later? And will it still exist when the money dries up?

The answers could depend once again on voters and whether they're willing to extend the life of the agency.

Several camps that support stem cell research think taxpayers should not pay another cent given the state's budget woes.

"It would be so wrong to ask Californians to pony up more money," said Marcy Darnovsky of the Center for Genetics and Society, a pro-stem cell research group that opposed Proposition 71, the state ballot initiative that formed CIRM.

Last December, CIRM's former chairman, Robert Klein, who used his fortune and political connections to create Prop 71, floated the possibility of another referendum.

CIRM leaders have shelved the idea of going back to voters for now, but may consider it down the road. The institute recently submitted a transition plan to Gov. Jerry Brown and the Legislature that assumes it will no longer be taxpayer-supported after the bond money runs out. CIRM is exploring creating a nonprofit version of itself and tapping other players to carry on its work.

"The goal is to keep the momentum going," board Chairman Jonathan Thomas said in an interview.

So far, CIRM has spent some $1.3 billion on infrastructure and research. At the current pace, it will earmark the last grants in 2016 or 2017. Since most are multi-year awards, it is expected to stay in business until 2021.

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California's stem cell agency ponders its future

Shinan Govani Mar 17, 2012 7:30 AM ET | Last Updated: Mar 16, 2012 5:35 PM ET

How many scientific breakthroughs does one man need to make to get a plus-one around here? That small little matter one thats foiled lesser men constituted one of the lighter moments in the way-serious commemoration that took place last week at the inaugural Renew the World Gala. Guest of honour Dr. James Till known to some as one of the fathers of stem-cell research had, we were told, demurely inquired beforehand if it was, oh, OK if his wife tagged along for the big black-tie. I think we know what the answer was. (This wasnt one of those admit one kind of thingies.)

In the words of my sometime party proxy Pasquale Casullo: There were scientists. There were celebrities. There were philanthropists. And, oh, luxury automobiles, too! Attending the dinner that went down at the Mercedes-Benz dealership in the east end, he took in a night effectively marking the made-in-Toronto 50th anniversary of the landmark discovery of Dr. Till and his colleague, the late Ernest McCulloch. Swirling amongst the cell-supporters and humble-as-pie lab-coat set, Im told, were the likes of Chantal Kreviazuk, Robert Herjavec, Michael Burgess, Damon Allen, Monika Schnarre, Stacey McKenzie, Trish Stratus, Melissa Grelo, Keshia Chant, Heather Hiscox and many more.

The event raised $1.2-million for the Canadian Stem Cell Foundation, which as the crowd that night was told, supports the work being done to use stem cells to rebuild damaged tissue in many parts of the body, such as the eyes, pancreas and brain. Also in the works: clinical trials for possible new treatments for cancer, blindness, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, etc.

The humility-soaked octogenarian cutie that is Dr. Till ended up leaving the joint with the biggest Q-rating uptick, with more than one person admitting later to a crush on the seasoned biophysicist. In the words of one who was there: Hes too good to be true. The most genuine and modest person Ive ever met.

Renew the World, indeed!

SCENE! HEARD!

Here! There!

A party is in the works next month to mark the 25th anniversary of Centro, the respectable resto on Yonge where newlyweds Conrad Black and Barbara Amiel used to conspire, and, in its hey-est-day, was the place people would go to gawk at everyone from Quincy Jones to Tony Bennett to Michael Jordan to Julio Iglesias!

Taking a break to brunch while in town shooting their TV series XIII: Stuart Townsend, Aisha Tyler. Spotted at The Drake last Sunday.

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‘Father of stem-cell research’ Dr. James Till feted for discovery's 50th anniversary