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A new proposal by Gov. Bill Richardson could help the University of New Mexico become a top school for embryonic stem cell research - despite federal laws banning it, a UNM official said.
Richardson on Tuesday said he will propose a $10 million stem cell package at the next legislative session. The funding includes $4 million for a new embryonic stem cell research facility at UNM, $4 million to hire eight to 12 researchers and $2 million to establish a nationally recognized training program for students.
"It would be a state-funded facility where we could house researchers that do embryonic stem cell research," said Richard Larson, associate vice president for research at UNM's Health Sciences Center.
UNM already works with approved existing adult stem cell lines but hasn't been able to work with embryonic ones because of the federal ban.
The ban - created because of the controversial nature of working with cells from an unborn fetus - forbids work on embryonic cells in any building created using any federal funding.
Because the new building would be state funded, with no federal aid, the university would be free to pursue the research, Larson said.
"Stem cells are the cells that have the potential to develop into many new cells of the body," Larson said. "The research will let us look at how they transform into those other cells."
Work at the 12,000-square-foot building could repair damage from spinal cord and brain injuries. It could also create better cancer treatments and organ transplants, Larson said.
"I think this is a significant step toward helping people who hope for and need a cure for many of the catastrophic illnesses," Larson said. "I think this is tremendous."
If the Legislature approves the funding, the university could break ground as early as late 2007 and be finished in six to 12 months, Larson said.
Richardson, in a news release, said he supports the research as a way to help people who are suffering.
"Today, states are the true innovative policy incubators in our nation," Richardson said in a statement. "And this announcement shows that once again, states are taking the lead while there is an absence of leadership from the Bush administration."
Richardson also said he will propose a $25 million supercomputing initiative. That effort would build a 200-teraflop supercomputer at Intel Corp. in Rio Rancho for research efforts at UNM, New Mexico Tech and other institutions, said Jon Goldstein, a spokesman for Richardson.
That computer would be about 100,000 times faster than a typical laptop.
It will be managed by a consortium that includes Intel, UNM, New Mexico Tech, New Mexico State University, Los Alamos and Sandia national laboratories and other state groups, Goldstein said.
"The supercomputer will be used for stem cell research as well as other neat stuff," Goldstein said.
Sen. Jeff Bingaman, a Silver City Democrat, said in a prepared statement that he supports the initiatives, despite federal bans on stem cell research.
"Advances in science continue to enhance our quality of life and conquer disease that were once thought incurable," Bingaman's statement said. "It is critical that we move forward in this area."
