The Empire State Stem Cell Board, created by the 2008 New York State budget, has voted to allow taxpayer money to pay for eggs for stem cell research, making New York the first state to do so.

The decision comes three months after Obama’s announcement to lift the ban on federal funding for embryonic research.

The ESSCB has decided whatever ethical guidelines allow payment for eggs for in-vitro fertilization must also allow payment for eggs for stem cell studies, which “arguably confers a greater benefit to society than does oocyte donation for private reproductive use.”

Regulations on funding will be the same approved for private use; currently, that means amounts over $5,000 must be justified, and amounts over $10,000 are “inappropriate.”

Women are born with one-to-two million follicles, of which, about 400 mature into eggs. Egg donors undergo fertility treatment for about a month, increasing the number of eggs developed for harvesting, which may take up to about an hour.

Short-term complications, like ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, are usually mild if the procedure is done correctly. Long-term effects of hormonal treatment are unknown, but may include the increased probability of the onset of cancer.