Stem Cell Language Approved

Florida has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to attract bio-tech research institutions to the state. Now, two competing groups want voters to decide if the state should go one step further and directly fund embryonic stem cell research similar to what's being done in California and other states.

The Florida Supreme Court has approved ballot language for two separate citizen petition proposals.

The group, Citizens for Science and Ethics, backs a constitutional amendment that says 'no revenue of the state shall be spent on experimentation that involves the destruction of a live human embryo.'

Meanwhile, the group Floridians for Stem Cell Research and Cures is proposing state funded embryonic stem cell research but offers safeguards. Palm Beach County Commissioner Burt Aaronson heads the group.

He believes it is contradictory to invest state money to attract biotech firms to Florida but then put restrictions on funding their research.