U-M Can Now Accept Private Donations Of Unused Human Embryos

DETROIT – A leading researcher and director of the University of Michigan’s A. Alfred Taubman Medical Research Institute says the university now can accept private donations of unused human embryos for creating new stem cell lines.

Dr. Eva Feldman spoke to the Detroit Economic Club Tuesday at the Westin Book Cadillac Hotel.

Feldman is principal investigator for the first human clinical trial of stem cell treatment for the fatal neurodegenerative disorder commonly called Lou Gehrig’s disease.

The institute’s Consortium for Stem Cell Therapies was created this year to create new stem cell lines for treatments and cures.

Last fall, Michigan voters approved new legislation that expanded embryonic stem cell research by a 52.4 to 47.6 margin.

Former U.S. Rep. Joe Schwarz, who chaired CureMichigan, the organization backing the stem cell proposal, called the victory an “historic win” that would help in the fight to find cures for debilitating diseases that affect residents all across the state.

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