Stem Cell Research Legislation Approved

December 21, 2006

Members of the Rutgers Community:

Yesterday Governor Jon Corzine signed legislation that will provide $270 million to fund stem cell research across New Jersey, including substantial support for a state-of-the-art facility for the Stem Cell Institute of New Jersey in New Brunswick.

The institute, jointly managed by Rutgers and UMDNJ, is pursuing crucial research to help those living with currently incurable medical conditions. UMDNJ President Bruce Vladeck and I applaud this bold move by the state's legislators and the governor to put New Jersey at the forefront of this promising field.

A copy of our joint statement is appended below. Additional information about the Stem Cell Institute of New Jersey is available at http://www2.umdnj.edu/scinjweb/.

Richard L. McCormick
President
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey