The California stem cell agency today
issued a press release touting “dramatic changes” at the agency in response to critical recommendations by the Institute of Medicine.

• “The 13 Board members appointed from
  institutions eligible for funding from the stem cell agency, such as
  those in the University of California system, would no longer vote on
  any grants brought before the Board but would instead abstain
• “All members of the Board would
  be able to participate in discussions on applications but only
  patient advocates and independent members of the Board would be able
  to vote on funding issues (members would continue to refrain from
  any discussion of specific applications from their institutions)
• “Patient Advocates would
  continue to be members of the Grants Working Groups but would not
  vote on individual applications
• “Programmatic review, aimed at
  balancing the agency’s portfolio, would take place at public Board
  meetings where members have a chance to make changes to
  recommendations from the Grants Working Group
• “Industry involvement would
  increase, where appropriate, on the Grants Working Group, and also
  feature in a newly constituted Scientific Advisory Board; the
  structure and membership of this group is still under discussion
• “Appeals on applications not
  recommended for funding will be handled by science staff who will
  evaluate them, determine if they merit further review by the Grants
  Working Group, and ultimately make recommendations to the Board.
  Staff will also be allowed to advocate for additional grants not
  recommended for funding by the Grants Working Group that they
  believe should be considered in programmatic review
• “The Chair and President would
  share a division of responsibilities with the President supervising
  all scientific operations and internal operational responsibilities.
  In addition the Chief Financial Officer would report to the
  President. The Chair would handle the ‘external affairs’ aspect
  of the agency, things such as financial sustainability to raise
  additional funds, state legislative relations, bond financing,
  public communications etc.
• “IOM recommendation on the
  creation of a Scientific Advisory Board to provide counsel on such
  issues as funding priorities and portfolio strategy will be
  implemented by staff
• “IOM recommendations on
  Intellectual Property will be referred to the agency’s IP
  subcommittee which will review and report back to the full board
  with options and recommendations
• “IOM recommendations on
  Sustainability: Chair, working with the President, will develop a
  plan to address this and present to the Board when ready

Source:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uqpFc/~3/MHSytXHG-zU/stem-cell-agency-adds-fresh-details-to.html