Michigan Stem Cell Amendment, Proposal 2 (2008 …

Michigan Stem Cell Amendment, Proposal 2 (2008), also known as "Cure Michigan," was on the November 2008 ballot in Michigan as an initiated constitutional amendment, where it was approved.

The amendment enacted the allowance of the donation of embryos produced in fertility clinics that would otherwise be discarded, and the allowance of researchers to create embryonic stem cell cultures to study disease. It would allow government funding of stem-cell research. Human cloning would continue to be illegal.

After the approval of Proposal 2, the University of Michigan began to receive several inquiries from potential donors, however the acceptance of embryos was delayed because according to the university they needed time to conduct ethical, legal and medical reviews. In December 2009, the university announced that they have established procedures and expect to begin new lines of stem cells by mid-2010. The university's research is said to focus on studying specific diseases.

Also in December 2009, the Michigan State Senate announced that they plan on deciding on proposed state guidelines for embryonic stem cell research. The proposed guidelines are opposed by university researchers and Proposal 2 (2008) supporters.[1] According to stem cell researchers the proposed bill contradicts the intention of Proposal 2 and "would prevent the donation of embryos with known genetic defects that scientists most want to study."[2]

A total of six bills have been proposed to modify Proposal 2, however, in February 2010 the proposals stalled in the Senate. Majority Leader Mike Bishop said he was concerned that the amendments could "lead to job losses and may not reflect voters' intent in voting for the amendment."[3]

According to reports, the proposed changes include:[3]

Results according to the Michigan Secretary of State[4]

The initiative is sponsored by the Stem Cell Research Ballot Question Committee (BCQ). The same committee tried to get a similar stem cell initiative on the 2006 ballot but failed to collect sufficient signatures. Former Speaker Rich Johnson and former Congressman Joe Schwarz have been supporters of the initiative as well.[5]

The group believes that stem-cell research could lead to cure for Parkinson's, spinal cord injuries, and juvenile diabetes.

Former President Bill Clinton endorsed Proposal 2 and is helping to raise money for the campaign to pass the measure.[6]

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Michigan Stem Cell Amendment, Proposal 2 (2008 ...