June 7, 2007

LANSING - In a letter to the President, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today joined 13 of her fellow Democratic governors in asking President Bush to reconsider his position on stem cell research and urged him to sign S. 5, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007.

"Last year you vetoed a similar bill, H.R. 810, continuing a policy that limits federal funding for stem cell research," the governors wrote.  "This policy puts the United States at a competitive disadvantage in the global marketplace, but more importantly, it fails to recognize the vast potential that research using additional stem cell lines could hold for the millions of Americans suffering from debilitating diseases.  We urge you to reconsider your position and sign S. 5." 

Earlier today the US House of Representatives passed the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 (S.5), after the Senate did so in April, which would expand federally-funded stem cell research.  Despite overwhelming bipartisan support for the legislation in both the Senate and House, the President has threatened to veto it.  This bill includes ethics guidelines regarding the use of stem cells that are more stringent than those the Bush administration has put in place.  It also provides support for all forms of stem cell research - adult and embryonic. 

Granholm has been a consistent advocate of expanded research and called for easing Michigan's outdated restrictions in her 2007 State of the State address.  If the Legislature heeds her call, expanded stem cell research not only holds the promise of new treatments for devastating illnesses, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and diabetes, but will also produce numerous high-paying research and development jobs.

"Embryonic stem cell research has the potential to vastly improve treatment of these horrible conditions, and eventually help scientists find life-saving cures. These cures could have an enormous impact on the lives of Michigan residents who live with these incapacitating illnesses and could ease the pain felt by their loved ones," Granholm said.

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