Stem Cell Proposal passes in Michigan

Yesterday Michigan residents voted on and passed Proposal 2 which increases the state's ability to perform stem cell research. I am a huge supporter of stem cell research and was very glad to see Michigan residents waking up to the fact that the possibilities for cures with stem cell research are vast and extremely important.

Having a family member personally affected by a horrible disease, ALS, has led me to read up on stem cell research quite a bit. Advances in stem cell research may offer us the key to cures for diseases such as ALS, Parkinsons, and Alzheimer's.

In the past, Michigan researchers were limited to stem cell lines created out of our state. This proposal allows them to use stem cell lines that were created in Michigan at fertility clinics. The proposal did have limitations of course, the embryo's must be ones that otherwise would be discarded and must have permission from the donors for the linees to be used in research.

Opponents to the proposal used false claims stating that the proposal would allows scientists to work without restrictions and regulations, which is simply not true. One only needs to actually read the proposal to understand there is still strict regulation and restrictions.