The Texas Medical Board voted and approved new guidelines for experimental adult stem cell research Friday.

Their decision comes after Gov. Rick Perry was injected with his own stem cells for his recovery after back surgery in July 2011.

Perry appoints all members of The Medical Board and has strongly encouraged new guidelines for adult stem cell research.

And State Representative John Smithee of Amarillo says it will pave the way for new studies to take place in Texas.

"Those stem cells have been very useful and hold a lot of promise in the treatment of a number of diseases where some rejuvenation is required," said Smithee.

In a letter to The Medical Board, Perry wrote that he hopes Texas will "become the world's leader in the research and use of adult stem cells."

And Smithee agrees.

"I think that Texas can be a leader," said Smithee. "We certainly have world class facilities that exist all over the state of Texas."

He also believes it will create growth for Texas.

"It creates jobs and economic opportunity but also the service it does for man kind," said Smithee. "Not only in Texas, but across the United States and the world."

The new rules do not come without controversy.

Critics believe they will give doctors too much freedom to practice procedures that are not safe and are not federally approved.