OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS

01/31/2006
Keith Schmitz

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS
Are We Going to Chase It Away?

By Keith Schmitz

The Wisconsin State Journal has an article saying that according to Forbes.com FierceBiotech is going to list Wisconsin as one of five emerging biotech hot spots. The only way we can stay on this list is if the state legislature stays out of the way.

Last year Governor Doyle had to veto a bill that could have impacted stem-cell research. The bill was another example of members of the state legislature trying to get in the way of science and job creation.

Supporters of the bill claimed they were not trying to stop stem-cell research, only cloning. However, some legislators tried to amend the bill so it would only ban reproductive cloning.

They failed. Why would they have to amend the bill to protect stem-cell research if the bill didn’t threaten stem-cell research?

This is not the first time the extremists have tried to put the brakes on stem-cell research. It probably won’t be the last. If they are allowed to succeed, Wisconsin could rapidly fall off the list of biotech hot spots.

This not only impacts research companies, but the attorneys, accountants and other services that support these businesses. With manufacturing ebbing here in Wisconsin we’re talking a sector at $2 billion for this state and growing that would spread beyond Madison to other parts of the Badger state. We’re talking extremely good tax-paying jobs and most of all, branding Wisconsin as an innovative place where forward-thinking businesses from other industries go to set up shop.

Many other states have seen the huge job potential in this field and are moving fast to support a biotech industry in their state with taxpayer funds. Supposed “pro-job” legislators should help make sure that Wisconsin doesn’t lose its place.

What’s your take?
Contact Keith Schmitz at: schmitzpr@ameritech.com