SAN FRANCISCO – Conservative public-interest groups with ties to Christian organizations filed lawsuits Tuesday seeking to invalidate the $3 billion stem-cell research institution approved by California voters in November.
One lawsuit alleges the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine violates state law because it’s not governed exclusively by the state government, and the committee that controls the research money it will dole out isn’t publicly elected.
The institute was created by California voters when they approved a $3 billion bond to fund stem-cell research over the next decade. Proposition 71 was passed by 59 percent of voters.
The suit was filed by the People’s Advocate and the National Tax Limitation Foundation. A separate suit was filed by a non-profit called Californians for Public Accountability and Ethical Science.
Both lawsuits were filed directly with the California Supreme Court. Lawyers representing plaintiffs in both cases said they bypassed the lower courts because of the issue’s urgency.
Human embryonic stem cells are created in the first days after conception, and scientists believe they can be used to replace diseased tissue and organs. Many abortion foes oppose the research because human embryos are destroyed during research.
The institute is governed by a committee whose 29 members were appointed by various elected officials.
