July 26, 2006
Renews call for passage of Meisner/Whitmer legislation
LANSING – Less than a week after President George Bush used his first-ever veto to block federal funding for stem cell research, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today renewed her call for the Michigan Legislature to ease restrictions on research in the state. She asked citizens to voice their support by signing onto her online petition at www.michigan.gov/stemcell .
“While President Bush is building up walls in Washington to block this life-saving research, we have the opportunity to tear them down in Michigan,” said Granholm. “By easing the research restrictions, we can tap the full power of modern science to combat debilitating and life threatening illnesses while reducing the cost of health care and supporting our emerging life sciences sector.”
Granholm has been a consistent advocate of expanded stem cell research and called for the easing of Michigan’s restrictions in her 2006 State of the State address. In her speech, Granholm called on the Legislature to pass House Bill 4900 sponsored by Representative Andy Meisner (D-Ferndale). Similar legislation has also now been introduced in the State Senate by Senator Gretchen Whitmer (D-East Lansing).
Granholm noted that a growing number of families, researchers and education leaders support stem cell research and the power it holds to treat and prevent disability and disease. Public opinion polls consistently show that approximately 70 percent of the American public is in support as well.
“Talented researchers and businesses around the world are working right now on cures to many of our most common and debilitating illnesses,” said Granholm. “The treatments and cures made possible by this research could have an enormous impact on the Michiganians who live with these illnesses and the family and friends who care for them.”
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