Bill would curb stem cell imports
The Detroit News
Thursday, May 15, 2003
Alexandra R. Moses, Associated Press Bill would curb stem cell imports
LANSING -- A bill that would make it illegal to import stem cells from destroyed embryos into Michigan for research purposes was approved Tuesday by a state House committee. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Jacob Hoogendyk, R-Kalamazoo, was approved 11-4 by the House Health Policy Committee. It now goes to the full House. The bill would amend the Public Health Code, which already prohibits a person from performing nontherapeutic research on an embryo or fetus that the researcher knows is the subject of a planned abortion. Hoogendyk said his bill would prohibit a company in Michigan from importing from another state or country embryonic stem cells for the purpose of research. "You can't go around the law by destroying the fetus in Ohio ... and then importing the fetus to a lab in Michigan," Hoogendyk said. Those voting against the bill were Democratic Reps. Stephen Adamini of Marquette, Brenda Clack of Flint, Matthew Gillard of Alpena, and Artina Tinsley Hardman of Detroit. Rep. William J. O'Neil, D-Allen Park, did not vote and Rep. Stephen Ehardt, R-Lexington, was absent. Clack said she is concerned about stem cell research, but voted against the bill in part because she wants to see what happens with the issue at the federal level. Supporters of the bill said embryonic stem cell research is unnecessary because adult stem cells can be used effectively. Ed Rivet, with Michigan Right to Life, said he supports the bill because the stem cell research using embryos requires their destruction. "The means simply do not justify the end," Rivet said. Many researchers say embryonic stem cells hold more promise than adult stem cells, but an embryo must be destroyed to obtain them. Embryonic stem cells are normally collected from embryos that have been frozen in fertility clinics and are no longer needed by those who have conceived. The Michigan Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League said approval of the bill would be a step backward and that embryonic and fetal tissue are vital to research.
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