Michigan Voters Approve Proposition 2 to Allow Destruction of Human Embryos

Bioethics   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Nov 5, 2008   |   9:00AM   |   WASHINGTON, DC

Michigan Voters Approve Proposition 2 to Allow Destruction of Human Embryos

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
November 5
, 2008

Lansing, MI (LifeNews.com) — Michigan residents voted on Tuesday in favor of Proposition 2, a state ballot proposal that would permit the unregulated and unrestricted destruction of human embryos for experimental purposes. Opponents say the measure does nothing to advance ethical and proven research like using adult stem cells.

Proposition 2 carried the state by a 52.4-47.6 percentage point margin with 78 percent of the precincts reporting.

The vote is interesting because it comes at a time when embryonic stem cell research is less and less in vogue. Scientists have been unable to conquer problems associated with it, ranging from the growth of tumors when the cells are injected in animals to rejection from their immune systems.

Instead, scientists have focused on a new kind of cell called iPSCs that are created as a result of a process known as direct reprogramming.

The technique has received the support of the pro-life community because it allows scientists to develop embryonic-like stem cells without the destruction of human life that makes embryonic stem cell research unethical and immoral.

The group MiCAUSE, a joint effort of Right to Life of Michigan and the Michigan Catholic Conference, ran a radio ad towards the end of the campaign saying Michigan taxpayers shouldn’t be forced to pay for the research because it is unproven and because the state is facing financial pressure.

“Proponents of Proposal 2 claim they’re not trying to dig up tax dollars to support their human embryo research," the ad says. "But in a recent interview, the chairman of Proposal 2 told a different story admitting that [embryonic] stem cell research should be funded publicly."

"So, at a time when we can least afford it, proponents of Proposal 2 want Michigan taxpayers to pay for the unregulated and unrestricted destruction of human embryos," the ad said.

Related web sites:
MiCause – https://www.micause.com/home.html
Right to Life of Michigan – https://www.rtl.org
RLM’s Stem Cell Campaign – https://www.stemcellresearchcures.com

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