There’s been a great deal of debate lately about the Michael J. Fox commercials on stem cell research. Regarding Missouri Amendment 2, Fox admitted this weekend in the Stephanopoulos interview that he’s never actually read the Amendment.
In light of the debate about whether the Amendment prohibits or legalizes cloning, and in the pursuit of informed debate, I thought it might be useful to post a link to Amendment 2:
http://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/2006petitions/ppStemCell.asp
If the Amendment passes, Section 38(d). 2.(1) of Article III of the Missouri Constitution would read:
No person may clone or attempt to clone a human being.
That seems straightforward enough, until you read the definition of “clone or attempt to clone” in Section 38(d) 6.(2):
“Clone or attempt to clone a human being” means to implant in a uterus or attempt to implant in a uterus anything other than the product of fertilization of an egg of a human female by a sperm of a human male for the purpose of initiating a pregnancy that could result in the creation of a human fetus, or the birth of a human being. [Emphasis added.]
So, it appears that the prohibition of cloning only applies to reproductive cloning; the cloning of embryos over and over and over again from the same fertilized egg for the purpose of research is totally legal under this Amendment, as long as a fetus or human being isn’t the end result.
I wonder how many Missouri voters really understand this? By his own admission, Michael J. Fox didn’t. Not all people who oppose reproductive cloning also oppose cloning for the purpose of research. But to say that the Amendment bans all cloning is simply not true.
Fox was duped I don’t have much doubt about that. But I am torn about stem cell research. So much promise but so wrong in its source.
But I am torn about stem cell research. So much promise but so wrong in its source.
Like you, I am encouraged by the potential of stem cell research. But to me, the ethical dividing line is adult stem cell research v. embryonic stem cell research. Adult stem cells (olfactory, umbilical cord blood, etc.) can be exploited without the destruction of genetically unique human life.
Here are 15 pages of peer-reviewed adult stem cell studies that show tremendous promise (Michael J. Fox’s afflication, Parkinson’s Disease, is listed on page 15):
http://www.stemcellresearch.org/facts/asc-refs.pdf
No one would be happier than I to see stem cell research yield cures to these horrible diseases. Adult stem cells offer the greatest hope without ethical concerns.
How many people really understand Stem Cell Research overall? Alot of people think Adult Stem Cells (other than Umbilical Cord and Placenta) are old cells from adults (18 and older) and don’t realize Infants, toddlers, etc. have Adult Stem Cells. ASC are established in their location and know their job.
Does Michael J. Fox realize that Umbilical Cord Blood and other sources are rich in stem cells and we have many successful treatments going on because of these Adult Stem Cells?
Why not get the scientists that are treading water with Embryonic Stem Cells (and destroying those that we should be protecting in our most innocent of humanity) to use their gifts, time, knowledge and energy by shifting their focus onto Adult Stem Cell Research and continue to advance what is working into even more treatments and cures!
Is Mr. Fox aware of the number of Teratoma Tumors that are brought about in Embryonic Stem Cell implantations? What about the “Mice Contamination” that has “unfortunately occurred” from resting human embryos on a bedding of mice embryos to create a cushion for them in the lab? What are they doing?? How “unfortunate” we turn our heads and trust scientists who are so complacent and generic about our humanity at its earliest beginnings. It is vulgar. Its too bad we don’t hold the same regard for our own humanity at all stages of development as we do for the Bald Eagle and other species. Afterall, those embryos under the microscope are not potential car parts in development, they are the beginning of our human species. (The most vulnerable and unprotected.)
Thanks for an excellent comment, Laurie.
Re the most vulnerable and unprotected, please check out our post entitled Supreme Court Bans Partial Birth Abortion. Feel free to comment there as well.
Welcome to Ivory Dome, and I hope to hear more from you.
Yes, thanks for the comment