Michael J. Fox Talks About Stem Cell Research Ads in New Interview

Bioethics   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Oct 27, 2006   |   9:00AM   |   WASHINGTON, DC

Michael J. Fox Talks About Stem Cell Research Ads in New Interview Email this article
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by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
October 27
, 2006

New York, NY (LifeNews.com) — Michael J. Fox discussed his recent line of misleading embryonic stem cell research ads in an interview Thursday night on the "CBS Evening News with Katie Couric." During the interview Fox denied allegations that he purposefully did not take his medication so the effects of his Parkinson’s disease were more apparent in the ads.

Fox said the converse was true — he indicated he was overmedicated during the filming of the commercials.

"The irony of it is that I was too medicated," Fox told Couric adding that his jumpy condition during the interview with her reflected "a dearth of medication — not by design. I just take it, and it kicks in when it kicks in."

"That’s funny — the notion that you could calculate it for effect," he said. "Would that we could."

Fox has come under fire for the commercials, which accuse pro-life candidates in Missouri, Maryland and Wisconsin of not supporting stem cell research.

In fact, they strongly support the use of adult stem cells but don’t want taxpayer to be forced to pay for research that involves the destruction of human life and has yet to help a single patient.

In Maryland, the ad drew more criticism because Fox endorsed pro-abortion Rep Ben Cardin, who has voted against a bill for more research into using stem cells without destroying human embryos.

Fox has also campaigned for a House candidate in Illinois and will appear in Iowa next week to support Chet Culver’s candidacy.

Fox told Couric he only did the ads to advance embryonic stem cell research and isn’t intending to take a partisan tone — even though all of his ads and campaigning have come against Republicans.

"Disease is a nonpartisan problem that requires a bipartisan solution," he said.

Asked if he would support a Republican, Fox pointed to Arlen Sepcter, who draws opposition from pro-life advocates for his position in favor of abortion and embryonic stem cell research.

Pro-life advocates have responded to Fox’s ad in Missouri with one that features pro-life luminaries such as "Everybody Loves Raymond" actress Patricia Heaton, St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Jeff Suppan, and former St. Louis Rams quarterback Jeff Warner.