Michigan Senate OKs requiring stem cell reports
By TIM MARTIN - Associated Press Writer - Associated PressWednesday, April 21, 2010
A showdown has begun over whether Michigan lawmakers can impose reporting requirements and expand or clarify definitions related to embryonic stem cell research in the state.
The Republican-led state Senate passed legislation Wednesday that would require researchers to submit annual reports to the state. It also would impose penalties for violations and seek to define some terms that were included in a voter-approved measure that changed the state constitution in 2008 to allow more stem cell research.
The main bill in the package passed the Senate by a 25-12 vote, mostly along party lines, and now goes to the Democrat-led House. The measures backed mainly by conservative Republicans and groups including the Michigan Catholic Conference will likely die there. Democratic House Speaker Andy Dillon said Wednesday that the Senate measures "appear to be political in nature" and ignore the will of the people.
Stem cell researchers say the new proposals would hinder the research aimed at creating treatments for spinal cord injuries, cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's and other illnesses. They say the new proposals would make it more difficult to get access to some types of embryos and stem cells coveted for the research.
The 2008 constitutional amendment says state law cannot restrict, obstruct or discourage stem cell research that otherwise would be permitted. Researchers and other opponents of the legislation say the new proposals go too far.
Sponsors of the legislation disagree. They say their proposals fall within the parameters of the constitutional amendment and do not restrict stem cell research.
Republican state Sen. Tom George of Kalamazoo County, a primary sponsor of the legislation, says the proposals seek to give some accountability and further definition to the constitutional amendment. The legislation seeks to define which embryos are suitable for implantation and how the donation process would work for embryos left over from fertility treatments.
"This is reasonable and this is needed to move forward with this," said George, one of several Republicans hoping to win his party's nomination to run for governor this year. "(These bills) represent the best work of a committee trying to handle a complicated, technical issue."
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The stem cell research bills are Senate Bills 647-652.
By TIM MARTIN - Associated Press Writer - Associated PressWednesday, April 21, 2010
A showdown has begun over whether Michigan lawmakers can impose reporting requirements and expand or clarify definitions related to embryonic stem cell research in the state.
The Republican-led state Senate passed legislation Wednesday that would require researchers to submit annual reports to the state. It also would impose penalties for violations and seek to define some terms that were included in a voter-approved measure that changed the state constitution in 2008 to allow more stem cell research.
The main bill in the package passed the Senate by a 25-12 vote, mostly along party lines, and now goes to the Democrat-led House. The measures backed mainly by conservative Republicans and groups including the Michigan Catholic Conference will likely die there. Democratic House Speaker Andy Dillon said Wednesday that the Senate measures "appear to be political in nature" and ignore the will of the people.
Stem cell researchers say the new proposals would hinder the research aimed at creating treatments for spinal cord injuries, cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's and other illnesses. They say the new proposals would make it more difficult to get access to some types of embryos and stem cells coveted for the research.
The 2008 constitutional amendment says state law cannot restrict, obstruct or discourage stem cell research that otherwise would be permitted. Researchers and other opponents of the legislation say the new proposals go too far.
Sponsors of the legislation disagree. They say their proposals fall within the parameters of the constitutional amendment and do not restrict stem cell research.
Republican state Sen. Tom George of Kalamazoo County, a primary sponsor of the legislation, says the proposals seek to give some accountability and further definition to the constitutional amendment. The legislation seeks to define which embryos are suitable for implantation and how the donation process would work for embryos left over from fertility treatments.
"This is reasonable and this is needed to move forward with this," said George, one of several Republicans hoping to win his party's nomination to run for governor this year. "(These bills) represent the best work of a committee trying to handle a complicated, technical issue."
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The stem cell research bills are Senate Bills 647-652.