By Becky Bruce
SALT LAKE CITY - Lifting the ban on funding for embryonic stem cell research is breathing new lift into the Eccles Institute of Human Genetics at the University of Utah.
The institute is trying to make up for lost ground, not just with funding for stem cell research but with stimulus money for health science research in general.
Director for Relations and Fundraising Deborah Peterson, says with a Nobel-Prize winning genetic researcher on campus, she knows what to ask for first.
"One big, major item that we are looking at is a new gene-targeting facility for Doctor (Mario) Capecchi," she said.
But she is worried there will be more competition for the money that's out there.
"Nothing ventured, nothing gained. If you don't get there and put your best foot forward and try, you're not going to get anything," she said.
The U should get an answer on its request for stem cell research funding this summer.
President Obama President signed the executive order March reversing restrictions on federal funding of embryonic stem cell research on March 9.
Under President George W. Bush, federal money for research on human embryonic stems cells was limited to those stem cell lines that were created before Aug. 9, 2001. No federal dollars could be used on research with cell lines from embryos destroyed from that point forward.
E-mail: bbruce@ksl.com
(Associated Press contributed to this report)
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