Real LifeApril 22, 2008
Michael Sandler, MD, President-elect
Michigan State Medical Society
120 W. Saginaw Street
East Lansing, MI 48823
Dear Dr. Sandler and MSMS Leadership:
We the undersigned members of the Michigan House of Representatives strongly
encourage you, as incoming president of the Michigan State Medical Society,
to lead your membership in a process of reconsidering the Society's current
support for embryo destructive research. There are a multitude of both
scientific and public policy reasons why the MSMS should devote attention
to such a review.
Currently there is a great deal of misinformation encircling the public
discussion of embryonic stem cell research (ESCR), fostered by inaccurate
media reporting as well as some intentional distortions by advocates of
ESCR. First and foremost, the recurring calls to loosen Michigan's "severe
restrictions" on ESCR is a falsehood, as there are no restrictions
on research using embryonic stem cells. The existing law does prohibit
destroying more embryos to create new stem cell lines. However, research
has been ongoing for years in our state using embryonic cell lines that
are readily and affordably available from numerous sources around the
country.
Beyond the fact that there is no ban on ESCR, rapid advances in other
avenues of stem cell research are showing that pluripotent stem cells
are available without the necessity of killing human embryos. Creating
and culturing useful induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) through
cell reprogramming has already been shown to have the identical potential
of embryonic stem cells in laboratory/animal models. Likewise, the techniques
of Altered Nuclear Transfer and embryo biopsy are proving to be opportunities
for acquiring pluripotent stem cells without killing embryos.
From a public policy perspective, continuing with most embryonic stem
cell research avenues will lead to serious dead ends in terms of ultimate
treatments and cures. Using "surplus" embryos from infertility
treatment will not supply enough embryos for all the research and treatment
demands. That will require that more embryos be purposely created with
the intent that they will later be destroyed. This in turn will create
pressure to have more and more women donate eggs to further the research.
There are a host of ethical and medical problems this demand for eggs
creates. Additionally, if embryonic
stem cells are to ultimately be used for genetically-matched treatments,
then cloning and killing human embryos will be necessary. This is an unacceptable
course both in the eyes of the Legislature and the public.
Lastly, "adult" stem cell research is already showing tremendous
results and even more future potential. Paralyzed patients are regaining
some function, immune disorders of various kinds like lupus and scleroderma
are being stymied, even reversed, heart patients are showing improved
ejection fractions, sickle cell anemia and leukemia are being cured -
all with "adult" stem cells - improvements and cures that are
happening now.
The changes being sought to Michigan law to allow "more embryonic
stem cell research" deal only with the ability to use live human
beings as laboratory subjects. For 30 years the policy of this state has
been that human life should not be used as research material. We do not
believe any proposal for scientific or medical advances justifies using
human life in this way, particularly for a speculative science fraught
with technical as well as ethical hurdles.
The public places immense trust
in the members of both our professions: doctors and statesmen. An organization
such as MSMS, respected widely for its devotion to healing and service
to its members, should be careful in supporting medical practices based
on incomplete research and inconclusive science. Historically, doctors
have enthusiastically supported procedures developed through evidence-based
medicine. The theory of embryonic stem cell research - which has yet to
yield any cure - is one where prestigious medical organizations such as
yours should remain neutral.
We strongly urge the Michigan State Medical Society to undertake a broad
and prospective re-examination of this issue.
Respectfully,
| Kevin Green Tom Casperson Bill Huizenga Phil LaJoy Mike Sak Robert Dean Kevin Elsenheimer Fulton Sheen Geoff Hansen Howard Walker John Moolenaar John Espinoza Terry Brown Phil Pavlov Paul Opsommer John Stahl Joel Sheltrown Jeff Mayes Rick Jones Arlan Meekhof |
Rick Shaffer Brian Palmer Dave Agema James Marleau Chuck Moss Mike Simpson Mike Nofs John Stakoe Brian Calley Dave Robertson Dave Law Lorence Wenke Glenn Steil Dan Acciavatti Dave Palsrok Ed Clemente Gary McDowell Bob Constan |
Darwin Booher Chris Ward |