Television Campaign Exposes Personal Side to Stem Cell Debate

Right to Life of Michigan launched an educational campaign on January 21 which included two television ads addressing stem cell research. The ads provide a voice for those who are suffering from injury and disease. The four-week, state-wide television campaign used personal testimonies from two Michigan residents. Jim Yates, whose spinal cord was damaged after falling from a horse, and Kathleen Hulst, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, express their desire for healing but not at the expense of ending the life of another human being.

Both share their opposition to embryonic stem cell research and human cloning by providing a personal perspective on stem cell research. This perspective, unfortunately, has been missing from mainstream media.

Right to Life of Michigan President Barbara Listing said, "We have heard from the doctors, researchers and politicians in Michigan who want to pursue embryonic stem cell research and human cloning for their own gains. It was time to hear from Michigan individuals who have the most to benefit from research advancements."

Research using stem cells obtained from adults and umbilical cord blood has been used to help thousands of people with various ailments. At least 70 different diseases or ailments have been treated or helped by the use of adult stem cells including Parkinson's, spinal cord injuries, various forms of leukemia, heart damage and various forms of cancer.

Listing said, "We are answering the demand for information on stem cell research. With talk of changing the Michigan Constitution to allow the destruction of human embryos, we knew it was time to provide the people of Michigan with a life perspective on stem cell research."

In addition, Right to Life of Michigan has developed a web site dedicated to stem cell research, stemcellresearchcures. The web site breaks down what many view as a complicated topic and explains not only the science, but also addresses the reality that some stem cell research results in the killing and cloning of innocent human life.

Human embryonic stem cell research has ethical concerns on at least two levels. The purpose of all medical research should have the end goal of aiding or treating people who suffer from diseases or injuries. The first concern is for the human embryos who are being destroyed. Human embryos are more than just tissue. These unborn children already have the genetic blueprint that they will have for the rest of their lives. It is never ethically correct to sacrifice the life of one human to save another without their consent. Isn't this the kind of utilitarian thinking used by U.S. scientists during syphilis experiments on African-Americans in Tuskegee, Alabama?

The second concern is the research emphasis on embryonic stem cells. The focus of stem cell research should be on what has already proved to be successful: adult and umbilical cord blood stem cells. Isn't it better to fund research which is already developing treatments for human patients?

The extraction of stem cells from adults and umbilical cord blood causes no harm to the patient. These are completely life-affirming avenues of research. Adult stem cells usually come from a patient's own body and have the same DNA as the patient so they don't face the risk of being rejected by the patient's body. Cures to diseases can be found without killing human beings.

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