Gov. M. Jodi Rell is to be commended for her plan to set aside $20 million of the state’s estimated $316 million surplus to encourage stem-cell research.Even though the state faces financial difficulty, the need to acknowledge and get involved in stem cell research cannot be overstated.Many scientists are convinced stem cells, which can develop into any type of tissue, one day could be used to repair spinal cord injuries and treat a range of diseases including diabetes, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.Rell’s $20 million would be spread over two years -- and that’s not much. While Rell intends for that $20 million to trigger investment from other sources, if it doesn’t do that, Rell and the Legislature should dedicate more state funding.Stem-cell research -- biotech research -- stands to be the next wave of scientific advancement, and untold numbers of jobs will be created at universities and private laboratories.tWhile $20 million may seem like a lot of money, all is relative. New York lawmakers last week proposed bonding $1 billion over 10 years for stem-cell research.And while $1 billion is a lot of money, New York is simply reacting to the recent referendum in California that authorized spending $3 billion on stem cell research.Why are New York and California pouring literally billions of dollars into stem cell research? Think Silicon Valley dedicated to biotech research rather than computers.Many, many jobs will be created, and if Connecticut intends to compete for those jobs it had better be seen as stem-cell friendly.Twenty-million dollars is not a lot of money when stacked against billions. But is a start, and Connecticut had better answer this challenge.
