THE FACTS ABOUT EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH IN MICHIGAN
The current law
- Michigan law makes it a felony to use new embryonic stem cells — meaning embryonic stem cells that are leftover from fertility treatment — for research into cures to serious diseases and injuries.
- Under the current law, a researcher who uses new embryonic stem cells to find cures in Michigan can be fined up to $10 million and imprisoned up to 10 years.
- Michigan is one of five states with the most severe restrictions on embryonic stem cell research, along with Arkansas, North Dakota, South Dakota and Louisiana.
Highlights of the ballot proposal
- This proposal will strengthen Michigan's ban on human cloning and allow researchers to use ethical means of seeking out new cures for diseases like Parkinson's, juvenile diabetes, spinal cord injuries, Alzheimer's disease and cancer.
- The sale of embryos would be strictly prohibited under this proposal.
- This proposal will allow doctors and researchers to use leftover embryos from fertility clinics that would otherwise be discarded as medical waste, and use them instead for finding cures and saving lives.
- This proposal will require donors' consent to use leftover embryos that would otherwise be thrown away as medical waste.
GET THE FACTS STRAIGHT FROM THE BALLOT.
View The Ballot Language
Scroll over the actual ballot language for a simple explanation without all the confusing legalese.
INITIATIVE PETITION
AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION
A Proposal to Amend the Constitution of the State of Michigan by adding a new
Article I, Section 27 as follows:
Article I, Section 27.(1) Nothing in this section shall alter Michigan’s current
prohibition on human cloning.
(2) To ensure that Michigan citizens have access to stem cell therapies and
cures, and to ensure that physicians and researchers can conduct the most
promising forms of medical research in this state, and that all such research is
conducted safely and ethically, any research permitted under federal law on
human embryos may be conducted in Michigan, subject to the requirements of
federal law and only the following additional limitations and requirements:
days after cell division begins; provided, however, that time during which
an embryo is frozen does not count against this fourteen day limit.
and, with voluntary and informed consent, documented in writing, the
person seeking fertility treatment chose to donate the embryos for
research; and
person seeking the fertility treatment and would
otherwise be discarded unless they are used for
research; or
would otherwise be discarded unless they are used for
research.
embryos for stem cell research or stem cell therapies and cures.
conducted and provided in accordance with state and local laws of general
applicability, including but not limited to laws concerning scientific and
medical practices and patient safety and privacy, to the extent that any
such laws do not:
(3) Any provision of this section held unconstitutional shall be severable from the
remaining portions of this section.
