Funding Announced for Adult Stem Cell Research

By Dave Jordan, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Lawmakers and scientists took a big step toward bringing new biotech jobs to Oklahoma Tuesday when they announced major funding for adult stem cell research.

Adult stem research does not involve embryos or have any of the perceived ethical issues, but it does have the support of the legislation and the tobacco settlement board which will now pump millions of dollars into research.

It was a decision that was supposed to be left up to the voters in the next general election, whether to use tobacco settlement dollars to fund adult stem cell research. But before the voters could weigh in, the tobacco settlement endowment trust stepped up.

"The tobacco board actually saw that this is important legislation," said Representative John Enns (R-District 41). "This is something we want to get on board with as soon as we can."

Under the proposal, the endowment trust will shell out $500,000 this year for that research and pay out an additional $1 million each year for the next five years.

Representative Enns drafted the voter referendum, but he opted for this proposal rather than delay research on an issue that's close to his heart.

"This has been already proven to help Parkinson's, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, which I do have," Enns said.

The Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust said funding adult stem cell research was a no-brainer.

More on News9.com: Oklahoma Lawmakers Debate Stem Cell Research

"As people started talking about it, the people who were doing research in adult stem cell came forward and we really got to see that this was an emerging opportunity," said Sjonna Paulson of the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust.

Most of that research is already underway at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. OMRF President Dr. Stephen Prescott showed us one of the active labs.

"Scientist here at OMRF have made major discoveries about how to reprogram those cells so they can now go and serve in other functions in the body," Dr. Prescott said.

Potential donors have already expressed interest in adult stem cell research, paving the way for an expansion of Oklahoma's biotech sector.

The research here in Oklahoma is attracting big names. Representative Enns said he spoke with Doctor Mehmet Oz, a huge supporter of adult stem cell research. He hopes to bring him to Oklahoma next year.

Representative Enns can bring his referendum back to the table after 5 years, should the tobacco settlement board decide to no longer fund adult stem cell research.