Opponents Of Michigan Stem Cell Proposal Begin Campaign To Defeat It

Main Category: Stem Cell Research
Also Included In: Abortion
Article Date: 14 Aug 2008 - 8:00 PDT

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Opponents of a proposed ballot initiative to loosen Michigan's restrictions on human embryonic stem cell research on Monday launched a campaign to defeat the measure, saying it would lead to human cloning, the Detroit News reports. State Sen. Tom George (R) said, "This proposal is deceptive and is hazardous because it will allow unregulated and unrestricted experimentation on human embryos" (Cain, Detroit News, 8/12).

Current Michigan law allows research only on embryonic stem cell lines from California, Illinois or other states with less restrictive laws. Those lines sometimes are patented by other researchers. The proposed initiative, called Cure Michigan, would allow researchers in Michigan to conduct stem cell research using embryos created for fertility treatments that were not used or were unsuitable for implantation and would otherwise be discarded. According to supporters of the initiative, the language specifies that the proposal does not seek to change state laws that prohibit and criminalize human cloning.

The Michigan Catholic Conference and Right to Life of Michigan oppose the proposal because it involves the destruction of human embryos. An opposition group called Michigan Citizens Against Unregistered Science and Experimentation also has formed. The Stem Cell Research Ballot Question Committee last month said it had filed more than 570,000 signatures in support of the initiative. More than 380,000 of the signatures must be ruled valid for the proposal to appear on the November ballot. The Michigan Board of State Canvassers has scheduled an Aug. 21 meeting to review the signatures (Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 8/1). The Stem Cell Research Ballot Question Committee on Tuesday asked the board to retain a statement saying that the state's cloning ban would remain in effect if the measure passes. The Michigan Citizens Against Unrestricted Science and Experimentation said the measure would not prevent the Legislature from permitting cloning in the future (Eggert, AP/MLive.com, 8/13).

According to the News, Michigan has one of the country's most restrictive stem cell research laws. Currently, scientists performing stem cell research that is banned in the state could face up to 10 years in prison and up to a $10 million fine, according to the Stem Cell Research Ballot Question Committee. The proposal's supporters say its passage could save lives and provide medical help to people with conditions and diseases such as spinal cord injuries, Parkinson's disease, cancer and type I diabetes. State officials will decide this month if enough signatures have been filed to place the measure on the ballot.

David Doyle, a spokesperson for the coalition of opponents of the measure, said despite claims that the proposal would retain the state's 1998 ban on cloning, the initiative does not prevent the Legislature from approving cloning in the future. Doyle also said that if the ballot language were included in the state constitution, it would remove the Legislature's ability to regulate stem cell research in the state. According to the News, "[b]oth sides know that the average voter knows little about the complex issue," and if the measure is approved for the November ballot, both are expected to launch aggressive TV advertising campaigns this fall (Detroit News, 8/12).

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