Michigan Stem Cell Research Proposal May Be on November Ballot
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Jane F. Smith is making the case in the Bay County area for stem cell research.
Ms. Smith, (pictured at right) retired employee of the Michigan Department of Human Services, is available to make presentations to groups that are interested in the topic of stem cell research. She can be reached at 894-0519.
She is a member of Michigan Citizens for Stem Cell Research & Cures, a group of Michigan citizens dedicated to the long-term goal of educating our state's residents about the stem cell research process and its potential for life-saving cures and treatments.
"We will present the facts necessary so each individual can form his/her own opinion about stem cell research," said Ms. Smith. "As a 501(c) (3) nonprofit charitable organization MCSCRC does not and cannot express support for any piece of legislation or political petition related to stem cell research."
Embryonic stem cells are nature's "master" cells, the foundation or building block of all tissue in the human body. These cells serve as the body's repair system, receiving a signal from the body that tells them to develop into specific cells like a heart, nerve, brain or skin cell.
A Michigan law in 1978 prevents couples from donating embryos, leftover at fertility clinics, for stem cell research.
Michigan is one of five states that makes it a felony to do research on stem cells. The others are Arkansas, Louisiana, North Dakota and South Dakota.
A ballot proposal will appear on the Michigan statewide November ballot to allow stem cell research, said Ms. Smith.
She added: "Many scientists believe studying these cells will lead to more effective drugs and an understanding of human development, disease development and birth defects, as well as, someday, possible treatments for chronic diseases, ranging from heart disease to Alzheimer's, diabetes to Parkinson's, and even spinal-cord injuries."
Embryonic stem cell research is a relatively new area that has provoked one of the nation's fiercest political and ethical debates. Even the most passionate advocates of this research concede that it is impossible to predict with certainty how long it may take to find new treatments using stem cells. Within the scientific community, however, there is little dispute about the need to pursue stem cell research in order to solve important medical problems.
"To support well-informed decision-making on this issue, Michigan Citizens for Stem Cell Research & Cures is helping our state's citizens understand this science and its promise," said Ms. Smith.
"I find that when people understand the facts, they are open to talk about the science and how it fits into their own culture," said Marcia Baum, executive director of the statewide group. She's one of 50 speakers trained to speak about stem cell research to groups such as service clubs and faith organizations.
Baum said she was asked by U.S. Sen. Carl Levin and U.S. Rep. Joe Schwartz two years ago to put together a nonprofit and nonpartisan group to educate people in the state about stem cell research. The group is funded entirely through donations, she said.
The purpose of the educational program is to bring information to people so they can form an informed opinion regarding stem cell research, Baum said.
Since its beginning, research on embryonic stem cells has been controversial, according to the group's brochure. Some believe it's unethical to use living cells for research if the embryos are destroyed.
Others believe it's unethical to not use them for research on life-saving cures and treatments.
Baum addressed three topics: stem cell research; treatments or cures related to stem cell research; and laws that control such research.
Stem cells are the beginning of each tissue in the body, she explained. Stem cells repair the body when it is diseased or injured. There are two types of stem cells -- adult and embryonic.
Adult stem cells are found in blood, bone, skin and the umbilical cord. For the past four decades adult stem cells have been studied and grown in a laboratory. They have been used to treat cancers and other diseases like leukemia, Baum said. But the types of tissue provided by these cells are limiting, she said.
On the other hand, embryonic stem cells form all the cells in the body and can become many types of tissue based on research that began in 1998.
"Scientists hope to make them a specialized cell to treat disease or injury," Baum said, adding future research is expected to treat macular degeneration, juvenile diabetes and paralysis. Progress has already been made with heart disease and Alzheimers.
Though there are no federal laws against stem cell research and using leftover cells from fertility clinics, government funding is limited to paying for research on cells leftover from 2001, Baum said.
In 2006 and 2007, both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives passed bi-partisan legislation seeking funding for embryonic stem cell research but the bills were vetoed by President Bush. The two presidential candidates -- Barack Obama and John McCain -- are on record supporting such research, she said.
"Remember,," Smith said. "We are only talking about the left-over stem cells that will be thrown away, anyway," Smith went on. "The embryo donor must sign consent and no money will ever exchange hands," Smith concluded.
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