California governor advocates stem cell research

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is putting his political career at risk. He endorsed a 3-billion-dollar bond measure that would fund human embryonic stem cell research. His position represents a break with California's republican party.

Schwarzenegger has said he supports the research since his father-in-law is in the early stages of &to=http://english.pravda.ru/mailbox/22/101/399/14257_Bushism.html' target=_blank>Alzheimer's Disease. Supporters of this bond measure say Alzheimer's could someday be treated with stem cells, informs WLNS.

According to Reuters, the backing for Proposition 71 on the November ballot, announced in a statement, comes just days after Schwarzenegger's tight-fisted finance director Donna Arduin unexpectedly resigned with little explanation.

"I am, of course, a supporter of stem cell research. Research that we do now holds the promise of cures for tomorrow," Schwarzenegger said in a statement. "We are the world's bio-tech leader and Prop. 71 will help ensure that we maintain that position while saving lives in the process."

Proposition 71 would spend $3 billion of California state money funded through bonds on stem-cell research and use another $3 billion to finance the interest payments over 30 years.

&to=http://english.pravda.ru/society/2003/04/02/45457.html' target=_blank>Stem cell research has become a prominent issue in the presidential campaign, with Democrat John Kerry vowing to reverse President Bush's limits on federal spending on research involving stem cells from human embryos.

Strategists believe the popular celebrity governor can boost the fortunes of measures he endorses, particularly on a ballot with 16 propositions.

"When a governor has a 65 percent approval rating, you welcome his support any day he's willing to offer it," said a jubilant Kevin Spillane, consultant for Proposition 62 forces.