Proposition 14 and Stem Cell Research Literacy
Proposition 71: Stem Cell Research. Funding. Bonds. is a document that focused on the further development of stem cell research and the establishment of CIRM (California Institute of Regenerative Medicine). This would soon lead to today’s proposition, Proposition 14. Proposition 14 is a proposed bill that requests $5.5 billion dollars to continue stem cell research. To make an accurate decision, literacy in stem cell research is necessary. This could be explored with the views of two stakeholders: Ron Reed and Jeff Sheehy.
Ron Reed is a stakeholder in the battle for stem cell research. About Don Reed expressed how Reed earned his title as the Grandfather of Stem Cell Research Advocacy through his persistence and involvement in stem cell research. Naturally, Reed supports Proposition 14. In SCIENTISTS SUPPORT PROPOSITION 14!, written by Reed, stated how CIRM became the biggest provider to stem cell research, provided jobs and revenue of $3.2 billion dollars which is more than what was paid for the investment. This information shows that Reed’s evidence is topical, meaning his arguments are subtopics to his bigger topic (reasons to support stem cell research), and points out his outcome bias. Reed’s reasoning is that since CIRM gave a profitable revenue, investing in CIRM and stem cell research would result in more profitable revenue. Though Reed’s argument has statistics and facts, there’s still bias.
Another stakeholder is Jeff Sheehy. Sheehy’s profile in LinkedIn notes that Sheehy is a founding director of California’s stem cell research funding agency and has been providing support since the beginning, Proposition 71. Though Sheehy has been involved with stem cell research for a long time, he is against Proposition 14. AirTalk, a podcast, presents Sheehy’s views with him stating personally that he wanted to focus on debt, and how it would continue in the future. This informs a lot about Sheehy’s perspective. His focus and fixation on debt shows a cause-effect pattern of negative bias which out-rules any positive possible outcomes of stem cell research. Though Sheehy has been playing a major role in the development of stem cell research, his argument has negative bias from the cause and effect of the current situation.
Stem cell literacy is important to deciding whether to support or be against Proposition 14. CIRM is an institution located in Oakland, California and keeping CIRM there or demolishing it would affect the communities that surround and revolve around it. CIRM has been a part of California for 16 years since Proposition 71 in 2004. Stem cell research has been in the U.S. for a longer period of time. Stem cell issue: Embryonic Stem Cell Research: A Decade of Debate from Bush to Obama informs that stem cell research has been a topic of discussion since 2001, making it relevant for 19 years. However, History of Stem Cell Use states that the very beginning of stem cells started in 1981, making it 39 years old in total.
Learning about how stem cell research started, and those who are for and against it provides a better understanding of stem cell literacy. Stem cells have been a topic of discussion for a long time, and it has only recently expanded. Through the views of Reed, the profits that Proposition 14 can do blinds him with outcome bias. Whereas Sheehy is wrapped in negative bias of debt. To make an accurate decision, literacy in stem cell research is necessary to decide against or for Proposition 14.
