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1.: Grassroots Pro-Lifers Must Strongly Oppose the Expansion of Embryoni From: Stephen Meyer

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1.: Grassroots Pro-Lifers Must Strongly Oppose the Expansion of Embryoni

Posted by: "Stephen Meyer" meyer74@bellsouth.net stephen_meyer_stemcells

Thu Oct 11, 2007 6:23 pm (PST)

Grassroots Pro-Lifers Must Strongly Oppose the Expansion of Embryonic
Stem Cell Research in MI

By Andrew Shirvell
<http://mwebmail.bellsouth.net/user/Andrew%20Shirvell> , Section News
<http://mwebmail.bellsouth.net/section/news>

RIGHT MICHIGAN
Posted on Thu Oct 11, 2007 at 12:29:25 AM EST
This month, the Michigan Catholic Conference (MCC) and Right to Life of
Michigan (RTL of MI) have begun a massive state-wide informational
campaign in order to educate their respective supporters concerning
their moral opposition to the expansion of embryonic stem cell research
in Michigan.
The in-house educational campaign is seen as a precursor to what will
take place in the larger public arena if and when, as expected, a
pro-embryonic stem cell research petition initiative develops in the
coming months and places the issue squarely before Michigan voters in
November 2008.
The MCC and RTL of MI are correct to start with educating and motivating
their own membership on this crucial moral issue, which has many
political implications.
The truth is that many pro-life politicos have been far from faithful in
opposing the destruction of human embryos for research purposes.
Moreover, misleading polling questions give the impression that there is
a huge amount of public support for embryonic research/experimentation
(unlike for abortion on demand, for instance, since polling shows that a
majority of Americans consistently remain "uncomfortable" about that
issue). This deceptive impression of citizen support for embryonic stem
cell research in turn leads otherwise pro-life politicians to support
such research, or, more often, to sit on the sidelines of the debate.
Hence, a vicious circle ensues, which inherently benefits proponents of
embryonic stem cell research.

RTL of MI and the MCC's educational campaign on embryonic (versus adult)
stem cell research is a good start in attempting to unify grassroots
pro-lifers within the state on this crucial issue. Unifying and
motivating Michigan pro-lifers will electrify the core base of the
Michigan Republican Party, and the Michigan conservative movement in
general, since the base of each of those two entities is strongly
pro-life. This electrification of the base will in turn spur Michigan
pro-life politicians to jump in on the right side of the debate over
expanding embryonic stem cell research when such a discussion really
gets going in the summer and fall of 2008, if indeed a pro-embryonic
stem cell research ballot question is placed before Michigan voters.
Yet, there is one major problem that the stem cell debate inherently
causes for those trying to rally the troops against embryonic stem cell
research, which is that it tends to be much, much less of an
emotionally-charged issue for people, and pro-lifers in particular, than
say abortion or saving Terri Schiavo, for example.
As a true believing pro-lifer, I know in my heart that opposing
embryonic stem cell research is just as important as opposing the daily
slaughter that takes place in the abortion mills, since tiny,
microscopic embryos in a Petri dish are just as much human beings as
those unborn children with heartbeats and brain activity who are further
developed and live in their mothers' wombs.
But it is true that, if given a choice, I will probably spend a greater
amount of my time advocating against abortion than against embryonic
stem cell research. I suspect that many of my fellow Michigan
pro-lifers would agree with me.
Nevertheless, I think the leadership of RTL of MI and the MCC can
motivate the pro-life grassroots to get as passionate about protecting
human embryonic life (in a Petri dish) as we have been concerning unborn
life in the womb. In fact, a recent RTL of MI mailing piece from
long-time president Barbara Listing identifies who the opposition is and
likens it to the arch-enemy of abortion opponents:
"Universities, various members of the academia, hospitals, health care
systems, independent laboratories, researchers of all stripes, and
politicians representing both major political parties have formed an
unholy alliance hellbent on destroying innocent human life all in the
name of research."
. . .
"This debate is nothing new. It is as old as time itself. It's all
about lies and deception in pursuit of the almighty dollar! Come to
think of it. . .those are the identical motives behind the abortion
industry. Now, isn't that a coincidence?"
It sure isn't. And neither is it a coincidence that RTL of MI's
strategy in mobilizing its supporters against the expansion of embryonic
stem cell research is, in part, to compare this relatively new fight to
the long-time struggle to end the abortion holocaust.
Well, I think this strategy can work. I know that hearing about the
evil of embryonic stem cell research at Mass this past Sunday - Respect
Life Sunday - as well as reading about it in the parish bulletin and
receiving several informational pieces in the mail over the past few
days has me more motivated to fight the potential expansion of embryonic
stem cell research here in Michigan.
This week's column is your evidence for that last assertion.
P.S. To find out more about adult versus embryonic stem cell research,
including what the current Michigan laws are concerning both forms of
research, please see: http://www.stemcellresearchcures.com
<http://www.stemcellresearchcures.com/>
About the author: Andrew Shirvell, Esq., is a pro-life citizen activist
who writes a weekly column that is published every Thursday for
RightMichigan.com in which he focuses upon Michigan pro-life issues.
Shirvell attended Ave Maria School of Law - Ann Arbor, where he served
as president of the school's Bioethics Society, from 2004-2005. He also
served as president of Students for Life at the University of Michigan -
Ann Arbor, from 2000-2002.

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