Proposal 2 would create a constitutional right to destroy human embryos for stem cell or other medical research without any state oversight. Please read the proposal at www.micause.org.
Proponents claim that embryonic stem cell research has the promise of curing Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and cancer. This is hype. Dr. Ronald McKay, stem cell researcher at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, calls the Alzheimer’s claim “a fairy tale.” He says “Alzheimer’s disease is a whole-brain disease. It is not a cellular disease, and it is unlikely that embryonic stem cells would ever be useful for treating such a condition.”
Embryonic stem cells tend to form tumors. Unless embryos are cloned, their cells are genetically incompatible with the patient. After years of research and billions of dollars, embryonic stem cells have not yielded a single cure or treatment for anyone anywhere. Adult stem cells, on the other hand, have already been used to treat Parkinson’s disease and cancer, autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular conditions and wounds. Peer-reviewed studies have documented 73 medical conditions where patient health has been improved through adult stem cell therapy. More than 1,400 FDA-approved trials are ongoing. See “adult stem cell success stories” at www.frc.org.
Adult stem cells are harvested ethically from the patient’s own body. They match the patient’s genetic makeup and no one is killed in the process.
Lethal embryonic stem cell research diverts resources from more promising adult stem cell research that is helping people now.
Steve Elias
1982 MSU graduate and Lansing resident
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