NJ To Spend Millions On Stem Cell Research

(AP)  Hoping to jump-start plans to make New Jersey a leader in stem cell research, Gov. Jon S. Corzine's administration plans to make $10 million available for research grants, with most money going to embryonic stem cell research.

A senior administration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to not upstage a Monday announcement, said $7 million will go toward embryonic stem cell research not supported by federal funding.

The announcement will come after the state Legislature on Thursday approved spending $270 million on stem cell research facilities in Camden, Newark and New Brunswick.

The money for the grants will come from the $31 billion state budget signed into law in July, but the administration hopes the grants will highlight New Jersey's impending investment in the research facilities.

"It's all about building momentum and being at the front of the pack," said the administration official.

Corzine hopes to move quickly to establish New Jersey as a leader in stem cell research, partly by taking advantage of existing biomedical research in the state. He has cited stem cell work as potentially groundbreaking research that could boost the state's economy.

"It's one of the great initiatives the state has taken on," Corzine said Thursday of the $270 million facility plan, indicating that the bill will "lay a platform to have New Jersey be a leader among the states and across the globe."

The governor is expected to sign the stem cell research facility bill on Wednesday.

Many scientists view stem cell research as instrumental in replacing diseased tissue and curing ailments, though social conservatives liken embryonic stem cell research to abortion because it destroys the embryo.

In 2001, the Bush administration imposed strict embryonic stem cell research guidelines that scientists argue limit advances.

But scientists see hope in embryonic stem cells because they lead to creating all the organs and tissues in the human body.

Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland and California are among the states that have agreed to fund such work themselves.

Administration officials note New Jersey's $10 million grant program will be topped only by the $20 million Connecticut awarded to researchers at Yale, Wesleyan and the University of Connecticut, though California will soon decide how to allocate about $150 million.

New Jersey plans to give $3 million in grants for general stem cell research in amounts up to $300,000.

It plans to award two or three grants ranging from $1 million to $3 million to help establish embryonic stem cell research facilities that would enable work not supported by federal funds.

The institutions will have to be in New Jersey and will have to provide resources to researchers throughout the state and demonstrate how they can help coordinate a statewide stem cell research program.

Applicants will have until March 8 to apply, with award decisions expected in mid-June.