FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Dec. 17, 2002

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) — U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer and California Sen. Deborah Ortiz will discuss California’s role in stem cell research at a 10:45 a.m. press conference Wednesday, Dec. 18 at UC Davis Medical Center. The conference will be held in room 3015-B of the Lawrence J. Ellison Ambulatory Care Center, 4860 Y Street, Sacramento.

Boxer and Ortiz are working to maintain the state’s position as the world leader in biotechnology research, and to preserve its ability to pursue stem cell research without federal preemption.

The lawmakers will discuss SB 253, sponsored by Ortiz. Signed into law this fall, the bill permits research involving the use and derivation of stem cells from any source.

Boxer and Ortiz will be joined by Virginia Hinshaw, provost and executive vice chancellor for research at UC Davis, Larry Goldstein, a UC San Diego researcher, and Don Reed, chair of Californians for a Cure, whose child suffered a spinal cord injury.

“Therapeutic stem-cell cloning promises to provide novel forms of treatment for a variety of inherited and degenerative diseases, including diabetes, Parkinson’s and heart disease,� said Ralph Green, professor and chair of pathology at UC Davis School of Medicine and Medical Center, who is working to establish a basic and translational research program in the therapeutic uses of stem cells at UC Davis. “We are greatly encouraged by the interest and support shown by Senators Boxer and Ortiz.�

Green and other UC Davis researchers will be available at the press conference to discuss potential medical applications of stem cell research.