THE STATE OF STEM CELL RESEARCH: WHAT IS HAPPENING IN FLORIDA?
As stem cell research continues to make headlines and generate public debate, Florida is fast becoming yet another state that is tackling the moral and scientific questions surrounding stem cell research. This resource is dedicated to helping students, educators and the general public learn more about exactly what is happening in Florida and the nation as the public and the government work to make sense of the complicated issue of stem cell research.
The Florida Supreme Court approves both state ballot amendments to be placed on the November 2008 ballot. The two opposing initiatives, one that would prohibit the use state funding for stem cell research and one that would force the state to spend $20 million annually for 10 years on embryonic stem cell research.
Florida Supreme Court Recommendation of Attorney General available here
SB 2496, filed by Mike Hardipolos (R-Indialantic) dies in the Committee on Health and Human Services Appropriations. Bill history
HB 1065, filed by Anitere Flores (R-Miami), dies on second calendar reading. The bill would have allocated $20 million for adult stem cell research. Bill history
Senator Mike Hardipolos (R-Indialantic) files SB 2496 in the Florida state Senate. The bill calls for $20 million in adult stem-cell research while prohibiting any research on embryonic stem cells. It is the corollary to Rep. Anitere Flores’ House bill. See bill SB 2496 here.
Governor Charlie Crist announces that he will not back human embryonic stem cell research, but is recommending the state legislature spend $20 million on adult stem cell research instead. See the article
Rep. Anitere Flores (R-Miami) files a bill (HB 1065) in the state legislature that would allocate $20 million to adult stem-cell research; however, the bill would not allow for any embryonic stem-cell research. See the bill
Franklin Sands (D) filed a bill that would provide $20 million in annual funding over the next 10 years for research in human embryonic stem cell research and other forms of stem cell research. See the bill
The Florida Supreme Court receives an opposing amendment to the Florida constitution prohibiting spending on “experimentation that involves the destruction of a live human embryo.” The amendment was submitted to the Florida Supreme Court after having received over 10% of the necessary votes for it to make the ballot in 2008. See the amendment
The Florida Supreme Court is asked to review a proposed amendment to the Florida constitution that would require the state to appropriate $200 million towards stem cell research over the next 10 years. The amendment was submitted to the Court for review by Attorney General Charlie Crist after having received over 10% of the necessary signatures for it to make the ballot in 2008.
Florida Governor Jeb Bush publicly announces his opposition to human embryonic stem cell research at the Biotechnology Industry Organization in Philadelphia. News article
A bill that would provide $15 million per year in state funds for stem cell research over the next decade dies in the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Services. Info from Senate website.
The Florida State Senate Healthcare Committee passes a bill that would provide $15 million per year for a decade in funding for embryonic stem cell research as well as define an ethical framework for such research. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Ron Klein (D)-Boca Raton and Rep. Franklin Sands (D)-Weston, passes the Florida State Senate Healthcare Committee by a vote of 7-1. The vote in Committee
Senator Ron Klein (D)-Boca Raton and Representative Franklin Sands (D)-Weston announce that they are co-sponsoring a bill called “Florida Better Quality of Life and Biomedical Research Act” that will allocate $15 million of state funds towards human embryonic stem cell research each year for the next decade. The bill is filed in the House on 10/12/05 and in the Senate on 10/24/05.
Bills: House 0233: Relating to Biomedical Research
Senate S0468: Relating to Biomedical Research
Citizens for Science and Ethics Inc. files an opposing petition that would amend Florida’s constitution to prohibit human embryonic stem cell research.
Advocates of stem cell research propose a ballot initiative that would require the state of Florida to spend $200 million over the next 10 years on human embryonic stem cell research. The measure is spearheaded by Floridians for Stem Cell Research and Cures Inc.
Website for Florida Cures.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
