Iowa's Commitment to Lifesaving Research:

Chet Culver's Plan to Pursue Cures Through Embryonic Stem Cell Research

I. Realize the Potential of Stem Cell Research

• Embryonic stem cell research holds out hope to cure some of humanity’s oldest and deadliest diseases. Thousands of Iowa families struggle daily with diseases like cancer, diabetes, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s that might be cured if the federal government’s harmful restrictions were lifted. This research, when publicly funded and conducted under established standards of open scientific exchange, peer review, and public oversight offers the most efficient and responsible means to fulfill the promise of stem cells to meet the need for regenerative medical therapies.

II. Repeal Iowa’s Restrictive Ban on Lifesaving Research

• Iowa’s ban on important stem cell research hinders the search for cures. Even Gov. Vilsack, who signed the 2002 Iowa law banning many forms of stem cell research acknowledges science has outraced the ban and it limits the ability of our researchers to keep pace with the work going on in other states. Iowa can compete, but only when the playing field is level. We must repeal the ban and allow research to proceed.

III. Help Iowa Become Competitive Again

• Iowa is at a competitive disadvantage with other states. While surrounding states like Wisconsin, Illinois and Missouri are moving forward to build research facilities, luring away our researchers and passing new legislation allowing embryonic stem cell research, Iowa continues to tie the hands of our best health science professionals with an outdated ban on this lifesaving research. Wisconsin’s commitment to embryonic stem cell research tops $800 million. California’s is more than $3 billion. The Governor of Illinois is writing to researchers in the Midwest inviting them to do their work in his state.
  
  
• As Governor, Chet Culver will create the Iowa Center for Regenerative Medicine in Iowa City, funded through a minimum allocation of $10 million from the Iowa Values Fund or other potential revenue sources. This investment will jumpstart Iowa’s commitment to returning to the top of the nation in medical research and allow the Center leverage to attract even more investment from the private sector. The new medical center will conduct cutting edge research and attract the top scientists in the field to Iowa. This will have the added effect of making the University of Iowa’s health-related programs such as medicine and nursing, more attractive to top-notch students in Iowa and around the nation.