Dear Friends,In Michigan, our laws preventing stem cell research are blocking some of America's best scientists and research universities from pursuing the great hope for curing debilitating and life-threatening diseases. Michigan is one of only five states that restrict this type of research.
This coming Tuesday, we have the opportunity to remove these outdated restrictions on embryonic stem cell research in Michigan by voting "Yes" on Proposal 2.
I support this proposal because I believe in allowing a life-giving purpose for embryos that are no longer needed by the couples who produced them, embryos which would be discarded and destroyed, even though a couple would like their unneeded embryos to be used for critical life-giving research. This proposal only deals with those embryos that will be discarded.
We should be helping our scientists, not hindering them.
Please take a moment and click here to learn how you can help support Proposal 2.
Opponents of embryonic stem cell research say that adult stem cell research has made significant advances and is sufficient. Adult stem cells, which are limited in the kind of cells they can become, have created some medical advances. However, embryonic stem cells are unique because they can grow into any form of tissue or organ. Adult stem cells cannot. Because of this unique trait, almost all scientists agree that embryonic stem cells offer vastly more potential than adult stem cells.
Thousands of embryos from fertilization clinics that are not going to be used for implantation will be destroyed. Why not give them a life-giving use?
Embryonic stem cell research is truly a life-giving process because of the extraordinary potential for healing the types of disease and afflictions that touch so many of us, our families and friends. It could hold the key to curing diseases that no other research could cure, including cancer, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, ALS, juvenile diabetes, spinal cord injuries, and many others.
Please take a moment and click here to learn how you can help support Proposal 2.
The opponents of Proposal 2 have refused to debate this issue on substance and have resorted to false statements about the effects of Proposal 2. Let's be clear: this Proposal does not allow human cloning. Such cloning is prohibited specifically by the language of the Proposal. The Proposal does not call for public funds to be directed to this kind of research and does not call for an increase of any taxes. And the proposal limits the use to only those stem cells currently being discarded as medical waste and only if allowed by federal law.
Supporters of embryonic stem cell research know that these breakthroughs will not come easily. But prohibiting it, and the cures it could lead to, is heartbreaking. Visit CureMichigan.com today and learn how you can become involved.
All the best,
Carl Levin
Editor's Note: Keweenaw Now requested and received permission from U.S. Senator Carl Levin (D-Detroit) to reprint this letter for our readers. Learn about Sen. Levin's positions on current issues by visiting his Web site.
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