Gabrieli to offer a $1b stem cell plan

Democratic candidate for governor Chris Gabrieli today will propose that the state invest $1 billion in embryonic stem cell research and life science research and create a new position of science and technology director, who would report directly to the governor.

''Stem cell research holds out the promise to be truly groundbreaking in treating diseases which are the most difficult and widespread such as diabetes, Parkinson's and Lou Gehrig's," Gabrieli said in an interview. ''We need to be smart investors if we want to continue being a leader in innovation-based technologies."

The plan, to be unveiled today before the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council, would enable the state to borrow $100 million a year for 10 years through the sale of bonds. The money would go into a special fund -- the Fund to Accelerate Science and Technology -- which would make grants to scientists chosen by a board of experts. Half of the money could be invested in stem cell research; the rest would go to other promising projects.

Both of Gabrieli's rivals, Thomas Reilly and Deval Patrick, support state funding of stem cell research, but the latest proposal is the most ambitious of the campaign. The Legislature last year passed a law that endorsed embryonic stem cell research, but the lawmakers have not approved funding.

Gabrieli said the plan would help Massachusetts compete with other states, which have moved to increase funding after the Bush administration decided in 2001 to strictly limit public funding for embryonic stem cell research. Two years ago, California voted to borrow $3 billion over ten years for stem cell work but because of legal challenges the state only began to award grants recently.

''This is exactly how to go from the poor economic growth and job creation performance of this administration -- 46th in the nation -- back to a leadership position, creating the best innovation-economy jobs of the future," Gabrieli said.

Also today, Gabrieli will begin airing a new television ad highlighting his efforts on behalf of the embryonic stem cell research bill passed by state lawmakers last year. When Governor Mitt Romney said he would veto the bill, Gabrieli, a wealthy former venture capitalist, funded a public relations campaign to rally the public behind it. ''What I learned from Chris Gabrieli's involvement in the stem cell bill is he's a doer, " says Tom Shea of Medway in the ad, who appears with his wife, Lyn. The couple has two diabetic children.

State funding has been controversial in California, where both liberals and conservatives have raised concerns that the state was directing too much money at one industry, with uncertain returns. Scientists also worry privately about a backlash if they fail to find cures for diseases after accepting millions of dollars in state research money.

In Massachusetts, candidates are looking to court the robust biotechnology industry.

"Tom is a strong supporter, " said Reilly spokesman Corey Welford. ''He lobbied for the stem cell bill that was ultimately passed by the Legislature. He has criticized both the Governor and Lieutenant Governor for standing in the way of stem cell research -- both for the economic benefits as well as the potential for cures to diseases."

Said Patrick spokeswoman Libby DeVecchi: ''Deval Patrick has proposed expanding and developing facilities for stem cell research in Massachusetts by issuing state bonds to support stem cell research and investing those proceeds in public colleges and universities."

David Shaywitz, a Massachusetts General Hospital endocrinologist and stem cell researcher, said Gabrieli's plan differs from others because it does not funnel the entire $1 billion into pure research.

''The great part of this proposal and the problem with other states' is that it's not clear that there is a billion dollars of worthy stem cell research to fund. This proposal has the flexibility to fund real good science throughout Massachusetts but also address a critical unmet need -- getting research from the university lab into commercial use and get it into patients. It's a huge sticking point -- how to get good ideas out of the lab."

Heidi Wyle, a biotechnology entrepreneur and Gabrieli supporter, said his proposal ''can help get Massachusetts' base technology infrastructure back in place, both in stem cells and associated life sciences."

With adequate support, she said, researchers at Harvard and MIT, ''have the chance to be the best in the world. ''

Andrea Estes can be reached at estes@globe.com