Canada donates $100M to cancer stem cell research

The federal government has pledged $100 million to fund cancer stem cell research by scientists in Canada and California.

Health Minister Tony Clement made the announcement on Wednesday while attending the BIO 2008 International Convention in San Diego, Calif.

He said the money will go to the Cancer Stem Cell Consortium, consisting of research groups on both sides of the border, announced last yearby Premier Dalton McGuinty and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Clement said Canada and California together account for about 70 per cent of all stem cell research conducted in North America.

The three-year agreement follows a recent pledge of $30 million by Ontario to the consortium.

Clement said the consortium will work in partnership with the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine with the goal of learning to prevent and treat cancer.

Scientists believe stem cells may be the source of at least some cancers. Aberrant stem cells have been linked to the recurrence of colon cancer and leukemia.