Proposition 71, on the Nov. 2 ballot, poses a quandary for California voters. The “California Stem Cells for Research and Cures Initiative” entails two major questions: Should the state of California assume additional debt through a constitutional amendment? Should the state of California fund contentious research and development in an area that has been typically carried by the federal government, biotech, big pharmaceutical companies and venture capital?

Community Connections of Los Altos has scheduled two discussions with experts in the scientific and ethical communities so voters can be better informed.

Henry T. (Hank) Greely, law professor at Stanford University, and Jennifer C. Lahl, the national director of the Center for Bioethics and Culture, will discuss the ethical issues surrounding stem cell research 7-9 p.m., Oct. 17.

Dr. Daniel Kraft and Dr. J. Joseph Prendergast will discuss the scientific aspect of stem cell research 7-9 p.m., Oct. 24. Kraft is a hematologist/oncologist and stem cell biologist at Stanford Medical Center. Prendergast is the founder and medical director of Endocrine Therapeutics Inc.

The talks will be moderated by Los Altos Hills resident Tom Gutshall, CEO of Cephied. Both talks will be held at Main Street Cafe & Books, 134 Main St., Los Altos.