PALO ALTO, CA — The Californians for Stem Cell Research, Treatments and Cures coalition (YES on Proposition 14) today announced a new suite of endorsements from multiple Nobel Prize winners. These Nobel Laureates join the growing coalition of patient advocacy organizations, leaders in the medical, scientific and academic fields and prominent medical and research institutes in support of Proposition 14 because of the hope and potential stem cell research provides for patients and their families searching for treatments and cures. Major endorsements include:

  • David Baltimore, Ph.D., President Emeritus and Professor of Biology, Caltech and 1975 Nobel Prize winner, Physiology or Medicine;
  • Louis Ignarro, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, UCLA School of Medicine and 1998 Nobel Prize winner, Physiology or Medicine;
  • Shinya Yamanaka, M.D., Ph.D., Senior Investigator, Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Professor of Anatomy, UCSF and 2012 Nobel Prize winner, Physiology or Medicine;
  • John B. Gurdon, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, University of Cambridge and 2012 Nobel Prize winner, Physiology or Medicine;
  • Mario R. Capecchi, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor of Human Genetics, University of Utah and 2007 Nobel Prize winner, Physiology or Medicine;and
  • Harold E. Varmus, M.D., Former Director, National Institutes of Health, Former Director, National Cancer Institute and 1989 Nobel Prize winner, Physiology or Medicine.

This November, voters will be asked to consider Proposition 14, where a “yes” vote will renew funding to develop treatments, advance clinical trials and achieve new medical breakthroughs for California’s patients living with chronic diseases and conditions, like cancer, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, heart disease, Parkinson’s, stroke, infectious diseases like COVID-19, and many more. If passed, Proposition 14 will authorize $5.5 billion in state general obligation bonds to build on the successes of Proposition 71 and advance more medical discoveries into treatments and cures that could save or improve the lives of millions of Californians.

“In 2004, California voters firmly established the state as the epicenter of cutting-edge stem cell research, attracting the world’s leading scientists to pioneer the way for innovative treatments and cures that have saved lives and treated thousands,” said David Baltimore, Ph.D., President Emeritus and Professor of Biology, Caltech and 1975 Nobel Prize winner. “Californians now have the opportunity to advance these findings and potentially improve the lives of millions with Proposition 14.”

“Chronic disease is expected to cost Californians $4.7 trillion from 2015 to 2030. By accelerating medical advancements and treatments with Proposition 14, we can potentially save millions of lives and billions of dollars in health care spending in California alone – it is a cause that Californians cannot afford not to advance,”  said Louis Ignarro, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, UCLA School of Medicine and 1998 Nobel Prize winner.

Voting YES on Prop 14:

  • Continues and accelerates the development of new treatments and cures, building on the successes of California’s stem cell research and funding institute, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), which was established when California voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 71 in 2004. Past investments in CIRM have led to: 
    • 90+ clinical trials
    • 2 FDA-approved cancer treatments for fatal blood cancers
    • $10.7 billion in increased state economic output
    • $640 million in new state revenue
    • 55,000 jobs spanning every level – from construction and maintenance workers, to lab technicians, nurses and physicians
  • Could save millions of lives and tens of billions of dollars in health care costs. California is expected to spend $4.7 trillion on chronic diseases between 2015 and 2030 – a period of only 15 years. Reducing the cost of treating just 6 of 8 major chronic diseases or injuries by 1-2% would save billions of these treatment costs and pay for the measure twice over.
  • Provides a much-needed economic stimulus and jobs recovery for California. Given bond payments are delayed for the first 5 years and the projected increase in economic activity, jobs and tax revenues, Proposition 14 is projected to provide more state revenue than the cost of the bond payments until the beginning of 2030.

Learn more at www.YESon14.com.

Titles & affiliations are for identification purposes only.

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