Cynthia Schaffer supports CIRM’s Business Development and Industry Engagement and Commercialization activities.

We always consider ourselves on the front wave of technology here in California. We have Silicon Valley and a huge biotechnology sector. We are also the state that voted to create CIRM, the largest funder of stem cell research outside of the National Institutes of Health, which became even more relevant after this morning’s news that NIH is closing its stem cell center.

Yet, I was surprised by my recent conversation with an older relative in Florida. I was discussing the future of CIRM and what will happen as CIRM’s initial bolus of funding runs down? You know how it is with relatives, they care and they try to listen when you are talking about your life, but they don’t always get the story straight. So, I was not expecting much in the way of a reply. I was just sharing. But my relative’s reply was unexpected. He said:

“Oh, don’t worry. Stem cells are the wave of the future. Everyone wants to see stem cell research continue. We all want a longer, healthier life and stem cells are the best thing out there that can help us achieve those aims. Don’t worry, there will be another grant coming.”

Wow – I was shocked, happy, but shocked. My older, fiscally conservative relative believes in the future of stem cell research. And, he thinks it is worthy of continued funding. Great. Of course, after all the years of talking with me, he still does not understand that CIRM is the funding agency that makes the grants. But still, his heart was in the right place and, his answer gives me hope that the public education outreach efforts of CIRM and stem cell societies like The International Society of Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) and the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (ARM) are working.

So, what do your relatives think about the future of stem cell research? It is an interesting topic of conversation and hopefully their answers will delight you. One thing is for sure, the conversation matters, and after this morning’s NIH news, state level programs may be even more important.

Cynthia Schaffer