Blog > News > Business > Stem cell research seen boosting New York’s economy

Stem cell research seen boosting New York’s economy

Posted on March 9, 2009

Unfettered embryonic stem cell research may take years to cure diseases, but it could quickly boost New York’s economy, with millions in federal funds for local research centers, elected officials and scientists said yesterday.

“It’s not only a matter of what’s right in terms of research and cures for cancers and diabetes. It’s also a matter of what’s smart in strengthening the economy with new jobs in science and research and medicine,” said Rep. Steve Israel (D-Huntington).

As the ethical debate swirls over embryonic stem cell research, supporters of the work are increasingly citing its potential to create high-paying jobs. More than $10 billion of funding to the National Institutes of Health, which will oversee the research, was included in the economic stimulus package.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) said yesterday that curing juvenile diabetes and Parkinson’s disease was a “moral imperative” even as she noted that New York has more than 30 biomedical research facilities – including Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and Stony Brook University – that stand to benefit from NIH funding. “To create jobs in an industry that’s growing is an imperative,” Gillibrand said. (Read more here)

Categories: Business

Leave Comment

(required)

(required)