Granholm Calls for Stem Cell Research
In her weekly radio address on Friday, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm (D, MI) urged the Michigan Legislature to pass two bills that would lift the decades-old restrictions placed on embryonic stem cell research in the state. The bills would also increase penalties for anyone violating the state ban on human cloning.
“Stem cell research holds the power to improve the lives of thousands of Michiganians,” Granholm said. “The men, women, and children who suffer from conditions for which there is no treatment or cure deserve our help. So do the families and friends who care for them.”
Granholm launched an online petition in July asking the Michigan Legislature to ease stem cell research in the Great Lakes State. This week, Muhammad Ali and his wife, Lonnie, joined the more than 7,800 citizens who have signed the petition. The Alis have been tireless advocates for stem cell research, testifying in front of Congress on the need for critical research to help address Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s is just one of a multitude of diseases and conditions that could be better treated, or possibly prevented, as a result of stem cell research.
I’ll leave detailed coverage of the potential benefits to stem cell research for my counterparts at The New England Journal of Medicine. Instead, I’ll focus on the political implications of Granholm’s call for lifting restrictions on stem cell research.
It was three weeks ago that Republican gubernatorial nominee Dick DeVos caused a considerable amount of commotion by calling for “intelligent design” to be taught in science courses throughout Michigan. While his answer thrilled members of the Religious Right, it threatened support for DeVos among secular Republicans and independent voters.
Stem cell research is one of those issues with the potential to intensify that reaction. DeVos and the Republican Party have wisely chosen to remain silent on this issue. Their silence will, of course, be viewed as an endorsement for maintaining those restrictions. However, by not giving the Democrats a quote that they can use in attack ads, they have managed to minimize any damage that this issue could cause.
I fully expect Granholm to bring the subject of stem cell research up in tomorrow’s debate. She will likely keep bringing it up between now and Tuesday, November 7.
Interested readers can find the full text of Granholm’s radio address at http://www.michigan.gov/documents/gov/Radio_Address_-_Stem_cell_10.6.06_TEXT_174691_7.pdf
“Stem cell research holds the power to improve the lives of thousands of Michiganians,” Granholm said. “The men, women, and children who suffer from conditions for which there is no treatment or cure deserve our help. So do the families and friends who care for them.”
Granholm launched an online petition in July asking the Michigan Legislature to ease stem cell research in the Great Lakes State. This week, Muhammad Ali and his wife, Lonnie, joined the more than 7,800 citizens who have signed the petition. The Alis have been tireless advocates for stem cell research, testifying in front of Congress on the need for critical research to help address Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s is just one of a multitude of diseases and conditions that could be better treated, or possibly prevented, as a result of stem cell research.
I’ll leave detailed coverage of the potential benefits to stem cell research for my counterparts at The New England Journal of Medicine. Instead, I’ll focus on the political implications of Granholm’s call for lifting restrictions on stem cell research.
It was three weeks ago that Republican gubernatorial nominee Dick DeVos caused a considerable amount of commotion by calling for “intelligent design” to be taught in science courses throughout Michigan. While his answer thrilled members of the Religious Right, it threatened support for DeVos among secular Republicans and independent voters.
Stem cell research is one of those issues with the potential to intensify that reaction. DeVos and the Republican Party have wisely chosen to remain silent on this issue. Their silence will, of course, be viewed as an endorsement for maintaining those restrictions. However, by not giving the Democrats a quote that they can use in attack ads, they have managed to minimize any damage that this issue could cause.
I fully expect Granholm to bring the subject of stem cell research up in tomorrow’s debate. She will likely keep bringing it up between now and Tuesday, November 7.
Interested readers can find the full text of Granholm’s radio address at http://www.michigan.gov/documents/gov/Radio_Address_-_Stem_cell_10.6.06_TEXT_174691_7.pdf
