CIRM Board Members continue to discuss the proposed changes in response to the IOM report (see pic above). There seems to be a slight majority in favor of the proposed changes amongst the board, however several board members are saying they need more time to consider the proposed changes and are uncomfortable voting today.
As a stem cell scientist and patient advocate, I feel at the moment uncomfortable with the idea of the Board voting today. I’m not sure it will allow enough time for deep thought on this and sufficient public comment. There has been so little time for anyone to really digest the possible changes.
One issue is which of the proposed changes would have an automatic 1-year sunset provision and have to be actively re-newed, allowing for more discussion after this “experiment”, if it proceeds, actually played out.