Third Frontier

Not sure when you are implying with your post, JT. The Third Frontier money you refer to in that article is funding high-tech science research in Ohio with taxpayer money. (Although it is also a bond issue.) A small part of the new spending was considered being given to embroyonic-stem cell research with little or no restrictions. The Ohio Senate proposed language was to accept the Bush plan-which is no funding for new lines, and but allowing existing lines to be funded and studied on the state dime. The House language was amended by Representative Mike Gilb to forbid state funding of any embyronic stem cell research of any kind. After a budget bill passes out of both Houses, many differences may exist that must be reconciled in a Conference Committee. This was one such difference. Smart money was on the Senate language winning out, but for some reason, probably to gain concession on another issue, the House language was submitted in the final bill.

Personally, I find the House language a bit extreme. I feel very comfortable with the decision the President made in 2001 regarding this issue and taxpayer funding. However, I don't know what you mean when you say government is in science's business. Government set up shop in science's business when Euclid was developing geometry or when Keplar was solving the riddle of the universe mathematically. Government has been funding scientific endeavors forever. Additionally, government grants support untold amounts of research labs, scientific facilites, and development centers. I might even venture your operation receives taxpayer's dollars. And all of this, in many cases, is free of any sort of restrictive regulation. I see absolutely, positively no dilemma in government witholding funds for the development of a untested and morally prickly research agenda put forth by certain groups in the scientific community.

Now, if California and Nebraska get all the stem-cell dollars, then it is what it is. But that doesn't change the fundamental dilemma that surrounds the issue. Frankly, Ohio has plenty of money in its coffers. It just doesn't use it wisely.