Stem Cell Advocacy
A History of Collaborative Advocacy
AMDeC has been instrumental in educating the state legislature about the importance of funding stem-cell research. In 2008, the state budget included $100 million for stem cell and regenerative medicine research, a significant step in helping to ensure that New York remains on the cutting edge of research.
Starting in 2001, before any other state enacted stem cell legislation, AMDeC advocated for and won state support for stem cell research. This high-profile effort broadened to encompass a coalition of more than 45 organizations, including academic medical centers, patient disease advocacy groups, citizen groups, business councils and others leading directly to the creation of New York’s Empire State Stem Cell Program.
Known as NYSTEM, this watershed legislation funded a $600 million, 11-year initiative in support of scientific discoveries in the fields related to stem cell biology.