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Victory for Stem Cells in Michigan
Yesterday, Michigan voters amended the state constitution to allow Michigan’s scientists to derive human embryonic stem cells without fear of criminal prosecution. The amendment will allow fertility patients to donate excess embryos from IVF clinics, a practice which up until now was illegal in Michigan.
The final tally came to 2,520,240 (53 percent) “Yes” votes and 2,271,071 (47 percent) “No” votes.
The Detroit Free Press, which endorsed the proposal, reports on the passage of the Proposal and features comments from voters as well as the spokespersons from Cure Michigan (the pro-research advocates) and MiCAUSE (the anti-research advocates).
Business Innovation Blogger Nathan Bomey at Mlive.com welcomes the amendment but is apprehensive about whether there will be enough funding to create high-tech jobs in light of “Michigan’s crumbling state budget and bleak economic situation.” He does, however, include a proud quote from University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman:
“We will now build on our already strong reputation for adult stem cell research with an equally committed approach to embryonic stem cell research. We are proud to be one of the country’s leading research universities, and this endorsement by voters will strengthen our ability not only to improve the health of our communities, but also to boost the intellectual and economic vitality that is critical to the future of our region.”
Finally, the Wall Street Journal’s Market Watch posted a press release from the International Society for Stem Cell Research featuring this from George Q. Daley, ISSCR past-president and associate director of the Stem Cell Program at Children’s Hospital Boston:
“This outcome means that critical medical research can proceed in Michigan without political or ideological interference. The voters saw through the fear and misinformation circulated by opponents of medical research and reaffirmed their commitment to allow physicians and scientists in Michigan to pursue the most promising avenues of discovery.”
You can read our previous content on Proposal 2 here, here, and here.
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