Proposal 2 is just the beginning

Sue O’Shea, the director of Michigan’s Center for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research, recently admitted in an interview with the magazine Nature that even if Proposal 2 passes, Michigan researchers might not be able to create new embryonic stem cell lines unless they receive taxpayer funding. She added, “It will just make life easier knowing we can do it.” Proposal 2 isn't really about cures, it’s about giving researchers the ability to do whatever they want and preventing any local or state regulations on their research.

LifeBeat for November 1, 2008

Jill Stanek again discusses the Born Alive Infant Protection Act and Barack Obama’s opposition to this legislation when he was in the Illinois State Senate. The Born Alive Infant Protect Act was legislation designed to protect infants who survive abortion. To listen, click here.

The Grand Rapids Press recommends voting NO on Proposal 2

The Grand Rapids Press says this type of research "warrants oversight" that Proposal 2 would prohibit and should not be a "constitutional issue."

According to the newspaper: “As the state's foundational document of government, the Michigan Constitution ought to be amended only for overwhelming cause and where other alternatives are inadequate. Stem cell research doesn't rise to that level. For that reason, we recommend a NO vote on Proposal 2 on the Nov. 4 ballot.”

LifeBeat for October 25, 2008

Jill Stanek discusses her involvement in the Born Alive Infant Protection Act after cradling an infant who survived a late-term abortion. The Born Alive Infant Protection Act was legislation designed to protect infants who survive abortions. To listen, click here.

Recent advances in induced pluripotent stem cell research

It seems like there is a new breakthrough in induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell research every week or so. Below are a few of the more recent advances in research that creates pluripotent stem cells (the same property coveted in embryonic stem cells) without killing human embryos.

The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that researchers at the Salk Institute for Biomedical Research were able to drastically improve the efficiency of creating induced pluripotent stem cells by using hair cells.

Reuters reports that Harvard scientists have found a shortcut in producing iPS cells from ordinary skin cells. Scientists replaced two of the four genes in the usual process with a chemical. This new process could overcome concerns that potential iPS cell treatments would promote cancer.

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports that Japanese researchers have been able to reprogram adult cells in mice to become pluripotent stem cells without using viruses. The article notes the new method appears to be an improvement on earlier techniques. This research doesn't require the killing of human embryos.

National Right to Life exposes Senator Obama's debate distortions

National Right to Life has a press release which notes and explains how a number of Senator Barack Obama's statements in the last presidential debate were highly misleading. The press release explains how Senator Obama mislead viewers regarding his votes on Illinois' Born Alive Infant Protection Act and his position on partial-birth abortion. It also explains Senator Obama's position on the Freedom of Choice Act, a piece of legislation which would force taxpayers to fund abortions and overturn prolife state laws.

LifeBeat for October 18, 2008

Michael Voris, founder of St. Michael’s Media, talks about the economic costs of abortion on America’s economy. Millions of missing people means millions of missing consumers. To listen, click here.

New Critical Reading on Cure Michigan's "Myths and Truth" web page

We've posted a critical reading of factual incorrect "truth" section of Cure Michigan's "Myth and Truth about Stem Cell Research" web page. Cure Michigan is the group behind Proposal 2, a proposal which is attempting to allow unregulated and unrestricted research on human embryos to Michigan.

The "Truth" section of their web page contains a number of "truths" which are blatantly false including the false claim that clinical trials using embryonic stem cells are close to starting, the false claim that Proposal 2 would only allow research on 5-6 day old human embryos and the false claim that experiments using specialized cells derived from embryonic stem cell don't cause tumors in animals.

LifeBeat for October 4, 2008

Michael Voris, founder of St. Michael’s Media, talks about media bias on the abortion issue and how the facts about Doe v. Bolton and what “health” means with regards to abortion often go unmentioned. To listen, click here.