The International Stem Cell Forum is meeting in San Francisco, bringing together 21 stem cell research institutes and representatives from 19 countries to review such issues as the moral and ethical guidelines needed for research and the registry of ESCs lines. Alan Trounson, the newly appointed president of the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine, noted that this is the first time the state has hosted the event--indicating California's rising position in the field of stem cell research [1].

Since the spring of 2006, the CIRM has handed out $260 million to 22 institutions, making the state the largest backer of stem cell research in the world. The CIRM is now wrapping its second round of grants, dispensing $262 million to researchers. California has been listed as one of the top economic development regions in the world [2] by FierceBiotech for three years running.

- read the report [3] in the San Francisco Examiner

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California - Top Five Regions Targeting Biotech, 2008. Report [4]
California biotech: Strong, growing but worried. Report [5]
California institute outlines stem-cell strategy. Report [6]
Wealthy supporters back Calif. stem cell research. Report [7]
Calif. gives $150M to stem cell research. Report [8]
California delivers millions for stem cell research. Report [9]