" Since the beginning of 2008, New York has awarded nearly $223 million to support stem cell research for the purpose of exploring innovative cures and treatment to life threatening and chronic illnesses. In addition to supporting ground-breaking stem cell research projects, the state's investment has been a tool for economic development by creating hundreds of jobs in the first two years of the program, and is attracting world-renowned researchers and scientists to New York. "

" Alan Trounson, president of the California stem cell agency known as CIRM, said in an interview Tuesday that his organization plans similar agreements with state-supported stem cell organizations in Massachusetts, Wisconsin and New York, and already has similar partnerships with agencies in six nations. "

"disease advocacy groups, university research centers and biotech industry leaders that have assembled to lead a charge to achieve legislation that would affirm and support scientific research involving embryonic stem cells and other DNA therapies"