Home / News & Publications / Michigan Catholic News / 2010 / Embryo-researh bills advance in state Senate
Embryo-research bills advance in state Senate
by Robert Delaney of The Michigan Catholic
Published January 29, 2010
DETROIT — The Michigan Catholic Conference and Right to Life of Michigan hailed the advance of a package of bills in the Michigan Senate addressing human embryo research.
Although both groups opposed the 2008 amendment to the Michigan Constitution that authorized embryonic stem-cell research, they said Senate Bills 647-652 were important to provide for transparency in human embryo research and prevent trafficking of cloned human embyos in Michigan.
"While nothing in this package of bills would infringe upon the will of the people regarding Proposal 2 of 2008, it is necessary for the Legislature to establish a statutory framework for human embryo research in Michigan," Paul A. Long, vice president for public policy of the MCC, said Jan. 20 after the bills were approved by the Senate Health Policy Committee.
Long said the MCC was grateful for the support provided by both Republicans and Democrats in the 5-2 vote to pass the bills out of committee and on to the full Senate.
Right to Life of Michigan President Barbara Listing said, "The debate over Proposal 2 is behind us. The Legislature is doing its job by ensuring the proposal is properly implemented and enforced. Voters approved this measure expecting the research would be limited to only excess embryos, that there would be no buying or selling of embryos, and that parents would voluntarily donate their embryos. These bills will ensure that's exactly what will happen."
If the bills are passed by the full Senate and House of Representatives, and signed into law, those conducting human embryo research would have to file a one-page annual report with the Department of Community Health; buying or selling human embryos for valuable consideration would be prohibited, as would be the creation of human-animal chimeric embryos.
In addition, a voluntary and written informed consent process would be established for those who provide in-vitro fertilization services. Both the MCC, the Lansing-based public policy voice of all seven Catholic dioceses in the state, and RTL disputed claims by advocates of embryonic stem-cell research – principally the University of Michigan — that the bills would restrict researchers' abilities to use the stem-cell lines they create by destroying human embryos, and also deter researchers from working in Michigan.
A RTL statement said nothing in the bills restricts what researchers can do with the stem cells once they are harvested. Also, the pro-life group said an analysis of the Michigan bills shows they are less burdensome than state regulations in both California and Massachusetts, the two leading states in regards to stem-cell research.
Ed Rivet, RTL-Michigan legislative director, said, "The requirements in these proposed Michigan laws are no more detailed or demanding than the laws in states that are considered the most research-friendly in the country. Requiring transparency as to who is exchanging embryos and putting proper penalties in place will provide accountability and stability in research."
Dave Maluchnik, MCC communications director, said he expects the bills to win approval by the full Senate, and then go on to be passed by the House. Whether the bills will make it into law before legislators adjourn for the summer will depend largely on which committee they are assigned to in the House, but he noted that the bills have until the end of the year to be acted on by the lower chamber.
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