A measure supporting embryonic stem cell research, Proposition 71, passed Tuesday, Nov. 2 with 59 percent of Californians voting for it. San Francisco voters overwhelmingly supported the proposition seventy-one percent voted in favor of the research.

Spending will be restricted to $350 million per year from $3 billion in tax-free bonds, and $3 billion will accumulate in interest, totaling $6 billion.

"I didn't vote," said undeclared major Kevin Liu. "But I am glad it (Prop.71) passed becuase it (stem cell research) could help people, without hurting anyone."

Stem cells are unspecialized cells that give rise to a specialized cell, like a blood cell. Embryonic stem-cell research would use the stem cells from embryos in attempt to find a cure for diseases under the proposition embryos may be cloned for research called “somatic cell nuclear transfer.”

An estimated $185 million within ten years will be generated from the research, including up to 22,000 jobs. The state will share in the royalties, according to yeson71.com. The coalition supporting the proposition stated on the Web site that stem cell research could save the country billions of dollars a year on health care costs by curing diseases.

Sen. John Kerry, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom support the proposition.

“At a time when healthcare costs are skyrocketing, Prop. 71 could significantly reduce state health care costs,” said Newsom on Aug. 18, according to the Web site. “If stem cell research and its associated technologies reduce state health care costs by even one percent, Prop.71 would pay for itself several times over during the following decade.”

Those against the proposition cite major ethical dilemmas because there is no government standard for embryo research, and France and Germany just passed laws outlawing the same research, according to noonprop71.org. Stem cell research is already performed on adult stem cells, where there is no ethical concern.

“I think stem cell research is needed, but there should be limitations, otherwise I would have voted for it,” said SF State student Nadia Carcamo. “Aborting a baby is more humane than performing research on an embryo.”

Many medical research companies, including Hollywood celebrities’ organizations like the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research and The Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation support Prop. 71.

"I voted against it," said International Relations major Erica Perez. "Performing research on an embryo does not seem right to me."

Michael J. Fox and Christopher Reeve prior to his recent death, filmed television commercials voicing their support for prop.71—the messages have aired throughout the election season. Hollywood star Mel Gibson can also be heard in radio advertisements denouncing Prop. 71.

"I did not pay attention to the celebrity commercials," said Perez. "I don't care what they (celebrities) think because I know they are not going to give me the pros and cons of the proposition."

The supporters of Prop. 71 have raised more than $23 million for their campaign. The opposition collected $280,000, and contributions under $100 do not have to be reported, according to healthvote2004.org. Californians account for 81 percent of the money. The Klein Financial Corporation and Robert Klein together contributed $2.6 million to the cause, the largest donation. The Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund gave $1 million.