WDET News
- Stem Cell Debate Could Play Role In Michigan Primary
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Jan 7, 2008State Capitol - Link to Audio
All this week, stations of the Michigan Public Radio Network are joining together to cover issues of importance to state residents in this Presidential primary season.
This afternoon (Mon), we take a look at the role the nationwide debate over embryonic stem cell research could play in Michigan’s presidential primary. The state currently has one of the most restrictive laws on using embryonic stem cells but advocates for the research continue to push for changes. They hope the issue finds legs on the way to the polls, but some candidates, particularly Republicans, are trying to sidestep the topic. Michigan Public Radio’s Kaomi Goetz reports.
SOQ
Nine-year old Nick Coury puts a test strip in the back of an insulin pump that monitors his blood sugar. He pricks his finger and applies a drop of blood to the test strip and waits for his reading.
“Oh that’s a high one.”
Coury has Type 1 juvenile diabetes. He manages his disease with a pump attached to his body that automatically corrects insulin levels. But despite being able to live a relatively normal life, the Caledonia elementary school student and his parents know the disease could one day develop into a wide range of health complications, including death.
But embryonic stem cell research gives the Coury family hope. Scientists are encouraged by the possibilities of re-creating cells from the stem cells of days-old embryos, which would otherwise be discarded in fertility clinics. These cells have the ability to become virtually any type of cell in the body, unlike adult stem cells which are more limited. That prospect holds promise for people with as-yet incurable diseases such as diabetes and Parkinson’s.
Nick Coury’s mother Cathy says embryonic stem cell research will be on her mind in the voting booth.
“This issue plays a difference in many choices that I make, it certainly does, yes. And I know a lot of people that have felt the same way. This is something that they feel very strongly about.”
But the issue probably won’t have the impact Coury hopes for in Michigan’s presidential primary. Embryonic stem cell research is currently illegal in the state. The leading Democrats all support it. Republicans, however, have more to lose with the issue.
Ed Sarpolus is vice president of independent polling firm EPIC-MRA. He says campaign talk of embryonic stem cell research puts the spotlight on values, which can be a problem for Republicans breaking the party’s more conservative, religious ranks. And talking about the issue could ultimately motivate more non-Republican voters in a general election, as assisted suicide did in 1998.
“That the more you talked about it, Republicans began to fear that issue on the ballot because it brought out more moderate and liberal voters. In order for Republicans to be successful, it’s better when there’s low turn-out and that means more moderate and liberal voters tend to stay home.”
Greater turn-out could help Senator John McCain, but only this fall when he’ll hope to win over Democrats and Independents. McCain supports federal funding of stem cell research using embryos otherwise slated for disposal, yet his Michigan campaign refused to talk about it. Rudy Guiliani also supports loosening restrictions on federal funding. So did Mitt Romney, until 2005 when he changed his stance. But Romney does back privately-funded research on embryonic stem cells. The more conservative Mike Huckabee and Fred Thompson do not.
Despite its ‘hot potato’ treatment by Republicans, there is an active movement in Michigan to get people talking about the issue. Former Republican Congressman and medical doctor Joe Schwarz is among the most vocal. He’s traveling the state to educate people about the research. And he says federal money will soon become available.
“The next President, Republican or Democrat, will sign the bill because there’s no one in the running for President of the United States now, who hasn’t gone on record as being willing to sign the bill. When I say no one, I’m not talking about one of the marginal candidates, and so the Castle-DeGette bill will pass. So after it passes after January 2009, federal funding dollars will become available.”
That’s welcome news for Cathy Coury and her family. But Michigan and its major research universities might never see that money because of the state’s restrictions on embryonic stem cell research. Groups like Right to Life Michigan and the Catholic Diocese of Detroit are working to uphold the state’s stance. Coury says she doesn’t understand.
“It’s sad because I see so many other things going on in other states and other countries that Michigan could benefit for. Economically right now, we’re struggling.”
Supporters of embryonic stem cell research plan to take their case to voters. A petition drive is underway for a statewide ballot initiative this fall.