ANN ARBOR – Stephen Rapundalo, CEO of MichBio, Michigan?s life sciences trade association, said Michigan voters should support a ballot proposal on Nov. 4 that would allow the state to use embryonic stem-cells for medical research.
In a letter to the editor, Rapundalo said:
“Researchers at the University of Michigan are world leaders in one of the most important areas of biomedical discovery today. From the study of basic biological functions to the search for improved disease treatments, these pioneers are addressing key questions in the promising field of stem cell science.
“But Michigan’s current laws have hamstrung our state’s researchers who are searching for cures and treatments for many of the world’s most devastating diseases and disabilities ? juvenile diabetes, Parkinson?s disease, heart failure and spinal cord injuries are just a few examples.
“On November 4th, Michiganders will go to the polls to elect a senator and a president. We will also have the opportunity to vote on two ballot proposals. The second of which, known as Prop 2, is intended to allow parents who have been fertility patients to voluntarily donate their unused embryos for medical research that otherwise would be discarded. This proposal reinforces our state’s ban on human cloning and it won’t spend a dime of taxpayer dollars.
“Prop 2 is a sensible proposal that will allow Michigan to join 45 other states in this field of promising, ethical and highly regulated research. In addition, passage of Prop 2 will have a positive economic impact in the form of new, high-paying research jobs and growth of our biotechnology industry. A no vote on Prop 2 will result in Michigan losing its edge in a fiercely competitive technology sector – something our state?s economy can ill afford.
“I urge you to vote in support of Prop 2 on November 4th.”
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