Davis Signs Stem Cell Rearch Bill

Governor Davis has signed two bills designed to encourage embryonic stem cell research.

The bills require the Department of Health Services to establish guidelines addressing the legal and ethical concerns involved in this kind of work, establish a registry of embryos available for study and strengthen the informed consent laws for the donation of embryos. Embryonic stem cells are undifferentiated, and can develop into specialized cells.

Scientists believe that examining these cells´ ability to divide and specialize can help them find cures for life-threatening diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer´s, diabetes and Parkinson´s.

By signing the bills, Davis said he was acting to keep California at the forefront of the nation´s biological research industry.