MCC urges adult stem cell support
Joe Kohn of The Michigan Catholic
Published March 31, 2006
Detroit — The Michigan Catholic Conference, the Church’s public policy voice in Michigan, is urging Catholics to voice their support for adult stem cell research.
Unlike embryonic stem cell research, which requires the killing of human beings in the form of embryos, adult stem cell research has been effective in treating 65 medical conditions, including muscular sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease and brain cancer.
“The benefits of adult stem cell research are making headlines across the globe as thousands of people are walking, seeing and moving again after undergoing adult stem cell therapy,” said Paul Long, the conference’s vice president for public policy, in a release issued last week. “The facts are that nearly 30 years of public and private financing for embryonic stem cell research have failed to produce any positive gains, while advancements with adult stem cells are occurring on a daily basis.”
Long said that public support for adult stem cell research would help distinguish it from embryonic stem cell research.
“Without the dedicated support of the public, including elected officials and the media, the ongoing successes of adult stem cell research will continue to be overshadowed by those who have failed to distinguish politics from science regarding stem cell research,” he said.
Ultrasound law signed
As expected, Gov. Jennifer Granholm on March 24 signed legislation that would require abortionists to offer women images of their child from ultrasound scans before performing an abortion. The Michigan Catholic Conference lobbied to support the legislation, which passed through the Legislature with strong support.
Conference applauds wage hike
The conference also applauded the state’s government for raising Michigan’s minimum wage, which will require employers to pay $6.95 per hour as of October 2006 and $7.40 per hour as of July 2008. Current minimum wage is $5.15 per hour.
“By increasing the state’s minimum wage, the conference believes that more low-income workers will be able to improve their quality of life and provide their families with the necessary means to live in dignity,” Long said in a statement.
|
