In a surprisingly quick — yet welcome — move, UW-Madison promoted James Thomson to a full professorship with tenure (pending regent approval).

Thomson, who three years ago pioneered stem-cell research in a UW lab, reached national prominence during the national stem-cell debate surrounding President Bush’s decision to fund preexisting lines, including five at UW.

Regardless of your view on the ethics of stem-cell research, there is no question Thomson’s work represents an amazing scientific breakthrough in biotechnology. His promotion shows a welcome commitment to rewarding excellence.

At the same time, UW’s renewed endorsement of biotechnological research is equally important. One of Gov. Tommy Thompson’s enduring legacies was his early commitment to making Madison the Silicon Valley of biotechnology. This would not only mean further national prominence for UW, but would do wonders for Wisconsin’s primarily manufacturing-based economy.

Most importantly, a thriving biotechnology sector shows the most promise for ending Wisconsin’s “brain drain,” where the best and the brightest leave the state for better paying jobs.

As far as “brain drain” on an academic level, the promotion reaffirms the Madison Initiative, a program designed to hire and retain the best faculty in the world.

Finally, it is encouraging to see the UW administration move so quickly. Apparently the prospect of losing Thomson to another school was just the spark for the Bascom bureaucrats to cut through the red tape (we can only hope student concerns will someday receive the same priority).

Biotechnology, brain drain, and massive bureaucracy are important issues facing the UW. Thomson’s promotion is progress in all three area.