It is hardly news that the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), intimately associated with "bioethics" and "big business", is stalwartly behind much of the massive pressure heretofore never witnessed to force the passage of many bills that legalize unethical human cloning and human embryonic stem cell research -- usually by citing the fairy tale "California Science" of physician Irving Weissman and entrepreneur Michael West et al. And this research is just the beginning! They have deftly organized the clueless governors of the various states, convincing them of much sought after financial windfalls (so they can get elected again). They have carefully identified and mercilessly lobbyed vulnerable members of state and national legislatures who themselves or whose family members have a disease, and promised them as well as patient advocate groups miraculous cures. They have co-opted "fiscal conservatives" to such an extent that the "free market" has now been morphed into the "libertine market" -- anything goes, as long as Big Money is made. ANYTHING. But even Hegel, Father of the Free Market System, required ethical limits on all such trade! Indeed, all sorts of fringe groups have jumped onto the bandwagon -- including researchers, physicians, pharmacists, patent lawyers, pastors, theologians, real estate developers, philosophers, Wall Street investors, media moguls and politicians. And what happens later when it all turns into a BIG BUST? Time for some reassessing? Follow the on-going daily drama and the money trail at: http://www.bio.org/.
Yahoo Finance
July 1, 2005
Press Release
Source: Biotechnology Industry Organization
WASHINGTON, July 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Patrick Kelly, vice president of state government relations of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), commended Ohio Governor Bob Taft for his leadership on state funding for stem cell research.
This week, Governor Taft signed the state's $51.25 billion, two-year state budget bill. He exercised his line-item veto authority on 27 provisions, including striking a provision from the bill that would have restricted state funding of embryonic stem cell research. The provision in the bill would have prohibited the use of 'Third Frontier' initiative funds on any type of embryonic stem cell research, including those lines approved by the federal government.
"Governor Taft's visionary leadership on Ohio's 'Third Frontier' initiative proves that he is committed to encouraging high-tech innovation and the jobs it creates. By striking a provision in the budget bill that would have prohibited funding for approved stem cell lines, the governor stands by his commitment to bolster life science research in the state," Kelly stated. "While stem cell research is in an early stage, this technology has the potential to provide new therapies for diabetes, heart disease, spinal cord injuries and a host of other disabling and deadly conditions."
Governor Taft, as well as Governors Jeb Bush (FL), Robert Ehrlich (MD), Ernie Fletcher (KY), Ruth Ann Minner (DE), Ed Rendell (PA), Mitt Romney (MA), and Anibal Acevedo-Vila (Puerto Rico), attended the BIO 2005 Annual International Convention held last week in Philadelphia. More than 18,000 attendees from all 50 states and more than 60 foreign countries attended the 4-day conference. Gov. Taft toured the more than 1,000-booth exhibit hall and met with bioscience executives at the Ohio pavilion.
BIO represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in 31 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of health-care, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products.