Freep and Detroit News Endorse Stem Cell Proposal

Proposal 2 (2.00 / 2)

• Proposal 2 Does NOT legalize Stem Cell Research in Michigan, because it is already legal. In fact U-M in Ann Arbor has one of the largest stem cell research facilities in the nation.

• Proposal 2 Authorizes Unrestricted Science/Research on Human Embryo's, subject only to Federal Restrictions (Currently no restrictions exist). The Fed's stance "Anything Goes for Embryos". An Embryo is defined as the period between conception and about 7-8 weeks. This measure would allow unrestricted science during this timeframe on the Embryo. This could include the radical gene splicing research which occurs around the world, mixing human and animal DNA to create Hybrids. This proposal would create one "Human Race" to serve another "Human Race" haven't we already been there in History and rejected it as evil?

• Proposal 2 does not authorize immediate funding. But, in states where this initiative has passed, it has resulted in increased taxes. In fact the "Yes" Campaign Chairman  has stated that not only must this research be unleashed, but it must also be publically funded. So if this passes, they will be in line next year for a line item in the state budget. So yes in the end it will cost taxpayers.

• Proposal 2 does say researchers must remove stem cells in the first 14 days, this is odd as currently stem cells are removed at 5-7 days because after 7 days they are no longer viable for use, so this portion of the ballot is a complete waste of time.

• Proposal 2 opens the door for the trafficking of Cloned Human Embryo's into out state for research.

• Proposal 2 has a provision down near the end which would allow researchers to ignore any State or Local Law they feel prevents, obstructs, restricts or even discourages Stem Cell Research. Once again, we will be turning all control over to the Fed's, our wonderful congress, senate & president and all the lobbyist's who influence their decisions. Do we really want to turn control of Michigan's laws over to the Fed's???

Currently we have a law on the books which prohibits research on live human Embryos. This law was passed by a democrat led legislature and signed into law by then Gov. William Milliken to proclaim that Human Embryos would not be reduced to Lab Rats.

There are options for left over embryoes from invitro clinics, its call embryo adoption, check it out at Bethany Services...

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by: AcmePete @ Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 10:20:29 AM CDT

Embryonic Stem Cell Research is Dead End Science... (2.00 / 2)

Embryonic Stem Cell Research is dead end science. Even the Pioneer of Stem Cell & Embryonic Stem cell research James Thompson is abandoning Embryonic Stem Cell Research. This was announced at the world stem cell summit last week. Search it out for yourself: "James Thompson World Stem Cell Summit"

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by: AcmePete @ Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 14:13:26 PM CDT

Not Dead Yet (4.00 / 1)

The article you must be referring to is here. It does say this;

If any need confirmation of the rapidly changing landscape, it should come with this announcement planned for the summit: The two Madison companies co-founded by Thomson have merged and shifted their focus to products involving non-embryonic stem cells.

The company has been successful reprogramming other cells turning them into an embryonic state, called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS).

But the article also says this about the 2008 World Stem Cell Summit;

Other sessions showcase stem cell research on a variety of different ailments, including neurological disorders, cardiovascular disease, blindness and eye diseases, cancer, diabetes and spinal cord injuries. Some will include patients, doctors and advocates, and the news here may be sobering. Despite considerable progress, clinical trials for some ailments are probably years, if not decades, away.

Thomson has shifted his focus, but that doesn't mean Embryonic Stem Cell Research is a dead end.

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by: rich @ Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 15:27:08 PM CDT

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