The Parkinson’s Action Network (PAN) expresses its disappointment in
the state of New Jersey for voting “no” on the Stem Cell Research Bond
Act ballot initiative on Tuesday, November 6.
The ballot initiative asked New Jersey residents whether the state should invest $45 million a year for the next decade in stem cell research. It is research that could lead to a cure for Parkinson's disease, juvenile diabetes, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, and many other debilitating diseases and conditions.
Because human embryonic stem cell research is critical to advancing understanding of and treatments for Parkinson’s disease, the Parkinson’s community is dedicated to expanding the current federal policy that has limited this research. PAN advocates have been instrumental in the passage of stem cell legislation several times in both the U.S. House and Senate.
“The battle for stem cell research funding is something that PAN and other disease organizations have been fighting for a substantial period of time,” said PAN CEO Amy Comstock Rick. “Embryonic stem cell research could go a long way towards saving lives and allowing human beings to walk again.”
It is understood that committing $450 million is a significant budgetary commitment to ask of one state. The results of these funding initiatives cannot be interpreted to mean that New Jersey voters are opposed to embryonic stem cell research. Issues such as education, infrastructure, and public works may be more likely to receive support from the voters than research that does not directly affect all residents of the state.
“Although PAN is disappointed in the outcome, we are optimistic about the future of this issue,” added Rick.
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