Prop 14 - Voters will decide if funding Stem Cell research should grow or shrink

Welcome to another episode of Propositioned - a podcast mini-series hosted by KFI's Kris Ankarlo that examines each initiative you'll see on the ballot this year.

Today's episode focuses on Proposition 14 - or, as it's titled on your ballot: The California Stem Cell Research, Treatment, and Cures Initiative of 2020.

This all began in 2004 when voters passed Proposition 71, which created the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) and establish a state constitutional right to conduct stem cell research. In 2019, funds designated for the research from Prop. 71 institute finally ran out. Prop. 14 aims to continue that funding for CIRM by authorizing another $5.5 billion in general obligation bonds for research into various treatment and therapies.

Some of the money ($1.5 billion) will be spent on research into nervous system diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and dementia. Another 1.5% of the funds would be spent on sites dedicated to conducting human clinical trials, treatments and cures, while about 0.5% would be spent on the 'Shared Labs Program,' which are dedicated research facilities conducting research on human embryonic stem cells.

In today's episode, Kris examines both sides of the argument and why funding should, or shouldn't, be expanded for this program.

You can listen to today's episode below: