Stem Cells and the Butz Brothers

A couple of interesting things in the FNP Business section today. I heard before that the Maryland Stem Cell Commission has not been paying out the funds granted in 2007 and this has put funding for 2008 in extreme jeopardy. Add to that the (perceived) down-turn in the economy,and now additional funds are on the chopping block.

This from Jason Balog’s Biotech article in today’s FNP:

Within the past few weeks the senate’s Health, Education and Human Resources subcommittee has reduced the amount of funding in the governor’s proposed budget from $23 million to $5 million.

Also duly noted:

Maryland has repeatedly announced its desire to be a leader of the life sciences industry and has demonstrated its commitment to stem cell research. However, without a dedicated funding source, it is likely that the Stem Cell Research Fund will be depleted in the future when the state is in need of funds. This is a situation that must be addressed if Maryland hopes to be a leader in the industry. As previously mentioned, Maryland is not the only state that has committed to stem cell research. While most states have made a modest investment similar to Maryland’s, California, Massachusetts and New York have raised the stakes by announcing 10 year commitments of $3 billion, $1 billion and $500 million, respectively. California went so far as to fund its research through the sale of bonds. It is this type of commitment that is necessary to grow an industry.

I am not at all surprised.

On the brighter side, this picture reminds me that I need to get the next BioBeers organized:

As you may know , aside from isolating stem cells from afterbirth, I also do Biodiesel testing through Advanced Product Enterprises Biodiesel. I am glad to help Chesapeake Green Fuels move their process along. We met about a year ago at an event in Rockville,struck up a conversation about the problems they were having getting quality, timely test results, made a few phone calls to our friends at PerkinElmer and FITCI and by October 2007 we were in he Biodiesel testing business. I know that Jeremey has promised to attend the next BioBeers as well as Jason Balog and George Cox at Miles Stockbridge, whom I have met on several occasions.

I also received an invitation from the guys at Flying Dog to host the next one at the Brewery on Wedgewood, so it’s about time I get off my but and get this thing going.

***3/24  CLARIFICATION:   The picture shows the Butz brother hoisting ball jars of Biodiesel & Chicken fat.  I just though it looked like it may be beer and that made my thoughts wander to the next BioBeers event!  Although Biodiesel is non-hazardous and can be consumed by humans, this activity is neither suggested nor endorsed by the author.  Instead, why not enjoy an ice cold Gonzo Imperial Porter?