Besides playing to the gallery of public opinion, it is hoping that, in the long term, stem-cell technology could become an important engine of growth.

ECONOMIST: Stem cell research

The centre is already under construction and the president of Stanford University, John Hennessey, supported Mr Clark, saying that many scientists were concerned about the long-term impact of restrictions on human embryonic stem cell research.

BBC: Billionaire suspends stem cell donation

The long-term hope is to treat patients with some sort of stem cell that could turn into beating heart muscle and replace dead cardiac tissue with fully functioning new cells.

FORBES: Using Thigh Muscle To Fix The Heart