The stem cell race is on.

• Position: TRENDS AND TRANSITIONS - Embryonic stem cell research - Brief article

States have officially entered the arena of embryonic stem cell research. New Jersey is well under way in providing state funding for adult and embryonic stem cell research. In December, the New Jersey Commission on Science and Technology awarded $5 million in grants to 17 applicants, including state universities, a private university, a private company, and a nonprofit organization. More than 70 applications were submitted.

Litigation has tied up efforts in California where voters in 2004 approved a measure to provide $3 billion for adult and embryonic research. In the meantime, the Independent Citizens Oversight Committee, the governing body of California's Institute for Regenerative Medicine, is meeting regularly to discuss other unresolved issues related to the award of research grants such as intellectual property rights.

Ohio created the first state-supported stem cell research program in...