Arnie takes a political risk

2004-10-19 08:27

San Francisco - Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger broke with the state Republican Party and endorsed a $3bn bond measure that would fund human embryonic stem cell research.

Schwarzenegger endorsed the proposition on Monday while answering questions from reporters. A prepared statement released later by his office said it would improve the health of California's residents and its economy.

"Research that we do now holds the promise of cures for tomorrow. California has always been a pioneer. We daringly led the way for the high-tech industry and now voters can help ensure we lead the way for the biotech industry," Schwarzenegger said.

The endorsement comes at some political risk for the governor because he's a Republican who risks angering the more conservative wing of his party, analysts said.

Bush administration limited funding

Schwarzenegger campaigned heavily against California going deeper into debt when he unseated Gray Davis as governor in last year's recall election.

The stem cell measure, if passed, would provide California researchers with nearly $300m annually for 10 years but cost a total of $6bn to pay back.

The endorsement will also put him at odds with the state Republican Party, which officially opposes the proposition, and perhaps even the Bush administration - which has limited funding of the research.

Stem cells are created in the first days after conception and are the building blocks of life. Some researchers hope to turn stem cells into replacement tissue to treat a variety of diseases and injuries. But many social conservatives oppose the research because it involves destroying microscopic embryos.

Also on Monday, Schwarzenegger announced a plan to protect Pacific waters off the California coast, outlining a series of studies, state programmes and legislative actions - some already taken. The plan offers $12.5m in new funding while calling on state agencies to devise ways to finance new projects. - AP

- SAPA