Michigan Stem Cell Research Debate Heats Up, Pro-Life Groups Fight Bill 
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by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
February 6, 2006
Lansing, MI (LifeNews.com) — The stem cell research debate is heating up in Michigan where pro-life groups are expected to fight legislation that would promote embryonic stem cell research and a governor who supports that.
Last month, Jennifer Granholm, in her State of the State speech, said she favored fewer restrictions on the controversial research which has yet to cure a single patient. Democratic state Rep. Andrew Meisner has a bill to do just that.
"It’s our belief this research is something we need to do," Meisner told AP. "So many other states are researching this. We want this advancement to happen in Michigan."
But pro-life groups will likely oppose it or any other effort to put taxpayer dollars behind research that relies on the destruction of human life.
"We want cures, too," Right to Life of Michigan legislative director Ed Rivet told the Associated Press. "But we have different means to achieving them."
He said that Meisner’s proposal also allows human cloning for research — something else pro-life groups strongly oppose.
Current Michigan law allows research on adult stem cells, which have proven more successful and have already yielded dozens of cures and treatments for a host of diseases and condition. The University of Michigan has become a leader in the field.
That’s what the Michigan Catholic Conference would prefer to see continued rather than research into embryonic stem cells.
"They say there are miracle cures right around the corner if this legislation passes, and it’s irresponsible to say that," Michigan Catholic Conference spokesman Dave Maluchnik said. "There are hypotheses, but nothing is proven."
TAKE ACTION: Contact your state lawmakers and tell them you oppose any bill to expand or fund embryonic stem cell research. Go to https://www.legislature.mi.gov
