PROPOSAL 2 OPENS THE DOOR TO CURES
Proposal 2 will allow U-M scientists to derive their own specialized stem cells to study disease.
Michigan voters, by a healthy margin of 53-47, approved a state constitution amendment lifting many of the restrictions on embryonic stem cell research.
Now University of Michigan scientists can join their colleagues in 45 other states in forming new embryonic stem cell lines to investigate and treat a wide range of diseases: cancer, diabetes, stroke, ALS and other neurological disorders, Alzheimer’s, sickle cell anemia, to name but a few.
President-elect Barack Obama has promised to increase federal spending on medical research and to overturn the federal ban on funding new embryonic stem cell lines. As a result of the vote, scientists at the University of Michigan and other state research institutions will be able to compete for this infusion of federal money. Under the new law, embryos cannot be bought or sold and cloning is not allowed.
According to the provisions of the new law, scientists in Michigan with donor consent can use embryos that would be otherwise discarded by fertility clinics to create new embryonic stem cell lines. Previously, unneeded embryos were destroyed. Embryos cannot be bought or sold. Cloning is not allowed.
Stem cell research at UM is subject not only to tight federal regulations and applicable state laws, but to the very rigorous procedures set down by the University.
The new law goes into effect December 19, 2008. It opens the door at U-M to a new era of medical discovery.
Researchers at the Taubman Institute will be ready to step through this door, to take full advantage of embryonic stem cell research and the unique promise it holds out in the fight for cures.
