Stem cell research addressed

By Dan Cherry
Daily Telegram
Fri May 02, 2008
ADRIAN, Mich. -

A speaker at the 12th annual Focus on Life banquet Thursday spoke about stem cell research, advocating scientific efforts on adult stem cells and not on embryonic cells.

Janet E. Smith, chair of life ethics at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, was the featured speaker at the banquet held at Adrian College’s Ritchie Dining Hall.

Smith, 58, speaks on pro-life matters both nationally and abroad. She is the author of “Humanae Vitae: A Generation Later” and has a new book on bioethics titled “Life Issues, Medical Choices, Questions and Answers for Catholics.” According to a recent news release, more than one million copies of her talk, “Contraception: Why Not” have been distributed.

Before an audience of about 275 people Thursday, Smith advocated the sanctity of human life and offered an alternative solution to embryonic stem cell research.

“I am delighted to live in the 21st century with its medical advancements,” Smith said, but cited embryonic stem cell research, or ESCR, is an unproven promise. She said that the cells are prolific at that stage of existence and can grow too fast, often causing tumors. Adult stem cells, Smith said, are more mature and stable.

Scientists have found a way to reprogram adult skin cells by adding genes and injecting them with retroviruses. According to Smith, the process transforms the cells into stem cells. She said the adult cells are being used to treat spinal cord injuries, Parkinson’s disease, strokes and multiple sclerosis, and make heart repairs and treat approximately 60 other diseases.

Smith said that to date, ESCR treats none.

Kate Hayes, Right to Life president for Lenawee County, said Smith was invited to speak at the dinner in February. Right to Life of Lenawee is an affiliate of Right to Life of Michigan.

Hayes said the Stem Cell Research Ballot Question Committee is working to get November ballot proposal to change the state constitution to legalize using embryos for research purposes.

The proposed constitutional amendment to permit, with limitations, stem cell research in the state of Michigan. The proposed ballot item would add Section 27 to Article I of the Michigan constitution by declaring that “nothing in this section shall alter Michigan’s current prohibition on human cloning.” However, stem cell research would be permitted on human embryos no more than 14 days past first cell division, and only on excess embryos in fertility clinic inventory and those people seeking fertility treatment have consented to their use for research. The proposed ballot item would uphold the ban on human cloning.

If 380,126 valid signatures are collected by July 7, the Michigan Stem Cell Initiative will go before Michigan voters for approval or denial.

Right to Life maintains that human life begins at conception and that using embryos at any stage for stem cell research is not acceptable.

“I think a lot of people are confused on the issue,” Hayes said of stem cell research. “This is absolutely not necessary to destroy a life.”

Smith said science needs moral guidance, and encouraged audience members to educate themselves so they can make informed decisions in life and at the polls.

Following the dinner, Rep. Tim Walberg presented the Advocate for Life award to the Rev. Gary and Barbara Williams of Tecumseh. Williams is a retired pastor from the Church of the Brethren in Adrian.

"You've got to get up every morning with determination if you're going to go to bed with satisfaction." George Horace Lorimer

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