Cloning research is intended, ultimately, to save lives. For example, researchers can manipulate bovine cells so that the animal's milk contains a natural protein needed to help treat debilitating diseases. If several calves can be produced, that same life-saving protein can be produced in mass quantities, less expensively and more efficiently than through traditional pharmaceutical methods. The university is providing us with the means to do some of the things we want to do. Now we just have to do them.
Time is of the essence.
The presence of the Georgia Research Alliance was an added incentive. GRA support will provide resources such as lab space and equipment, office equipment, software and salaries for additional lab technicians and researchers. Stice says that GRA is a great vehicle for getting introduced and connected to other scientists in education and industry in Georgia. He also says that he was attracted by the opportunity to split his responsibilities between academic research and business. He will serve as chief scientific officer of OptiGen, Inc., a company that translates technology research into commercial uses.