LANSING – Proposal numbers and ballot language for proposals allowing for the medical use of marijuana and research involving embryonic stem cells have been selected, with opponents readying campaigns to defeat them in the November election.

Dave Doyle with Michigan Citizens Against Unrestricted Science and Experimentation said the proposed research amendment would allow unlimited use of embryos for experimentation.

But former U.S. Rep. Joe Schwarz, a physician and chair of Mi-Cure, the organization supporting the stem cell proposal, said it was a step that was critical for Michigan researchers to have to help develop treatments and therapies on diseases such as type-1 juvenile diabetes.

Lawyers for supporters and opponents as well as for the state huddled for some two hours working on final changes to the 100-word description of Proposal 08-2 that will appear on the ballot. The final version is close to the proposed version the state suggested on Tuesday.

One of the critical changes in the language agreed to appears in the title, which says it is a proposal to “address” human embryo and human embryonic stem cell research. The initial proposed language said the proposal would “allow” the research. Embryonic stem cell research is allowed though it has been limited because researchers cannot develop their own research lines.

The final language approved reads:

“A PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE STATE CONSTITUTION TO ADDRESS HUMAN EMBRYO AND HUMAN EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH IN MICHIGAN.

The proposed constitutional amendment would:

Expand use of human embryos for any research permitted under federal law subject to the following limits: the embryos

are created for fertility treatment purposes;

are not suitable for implantation or are in excess of clinical needs;

would be discarded unless used for research;

were donated by the person seeking fertility treatment.

Provide that stem cells cannot be taken from human embryos more than 14 days after cell division begins.

Prohibits any person from selling or purchasing human embryos for stem cell research.

Prohibits state and local laws that prevent, restrict or discourage stem cell research, future therapies and cures.

Should this proposal be adopted?”

Schwarz said the language in the ballot proposal is precisely the same language used in a federal bill that would expand embryonic stem cell research and that he believed would become law. Officials here did a fine job in developing the language, he said.

Schwarz was confident the proposal would succeed in November. The proposal will allow universities and other research centers to develop embryonic stem cell lines that could look at treatments for diseases that may be genetically specific to different ethnic groups.

And it would allow state researchers to work on treatments for juvenile diabetes, as there are no adult stem cells that can be used to replicate the pancreatic cells that create insulin.

Critics of embryonic stem cells have said that many treatments have and are being developed using adult stem cells and cord blood cells. Mr. Schwarz said adult stem cell research needs to continue, but that expanded embryonic stem cell research is needed.

Medicine in the 21st Century will be largely focused on genetic and stem cell therapies, Mr. Schwarz said, instead of on chemicals which has governed many medical treatments up to this point.

But Doyle said opponents would make sure voters understood that if the proposal passes it would bar any efforts by the state or local governments to try to control research using embryonic stem cells.

Even though opponents intend to make cloning a major issue in their campaign, Doyle said he was not disappointed there was no reference to cloning in the language. The proposal does specifically say it would not affect current laws banning cloning, but Doyle said it does leave open the door for the state to change the law.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA: The proposal brought by the Michigan Coalition for Compassionate Care was given the ballot number designation Proposal 08-1 and the language for the proposal was modified to read as follows:

“A LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVE TO PERMIT THE USE AND CULTIVATION OF MARIJUANA FOR SPECIFIED MEDICAL CONDITIONS

The proposed law would:

Permit physician approved use of marijuana by registered patients with debilitating medical conditions including cancer, glaucoma, HIV, AIDS, hepatitis C, MS and other conditions as may be approved by the Department of Community Health.

Permit registered individuals to grow limited amounts of marijuana for qualifying patients in an enclosed, locked facility.

Require Department of Community Health to establish an identification card system for patients qualified to use marijuana and individuals qualified to grow marijuana.

Permit registered and unregistered patients and primary caregivers to assert medical reasons for using marijuana as a defense to any prosecution involving marijuana.

Should this proposal be adopted?”

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