You can keep medical innovation down on a federal level, but you can’t keep the Wolverines down at the state level. Yes, the mighty mustelid doctors have created Michigan’s first human stem cell line.
In 2008, Michigan voters approved an amendment to the state constitution that allowed scientists to utilize stem cells from surplus embryos that fertility clinics had lying around in their coolers. Thanks to forward-thinking secular voters ,Michigan’s medical scientists were able to develop a medical breakthrough.
Michigan began work on the stem cell line in May and completed it in late September. Even more impressive than the completion speed is the fact that U of M was working without federal funds. They used private gifts to the stem cell project and in-house funds.
“This historic achievement opens the door on a new era for U-M researchers, one that holds enormous promise for the treatment of many seriously debilitating and life-threatening diseases,” explained U-M President Mary Sue Coleman, who was quoted by AnnArbor.com.
“The real importance of today’s announcement is that the ability to derive new embryonic stem cell lines will allow us to take the next step: disease-specific research that could someday lead to new treatments.”
U-M is calling the line of stem cells UM 4-6, whih originated from a batch of about 30 cells that came from a generously donated five-day-old embryo. This achievement puts the school in a select group of universities that have created stem cell lines. From here it seems the medical possibilities could be endless.
The school plans on giving samples of the stem cell to their research partners statewide. They also want to submit UM4-6 to the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) to have it included in the national registry of human embryonic stem cell lines that can receive federal research monies.
A federal court case that bans federal research will have to be resolved first before U-M can share their knowledge with the country. Many U-M officials will speak this week about U-M 4-6 at the World Stem Cell Summit in Detroit, Michigan. They will most likely use the gathering to bring attention to the federal ban that continues to halt innovation in stem cell research.
Thankfully, leaders and scientists have been able to rise above the idiocracy that limits the expansion of stem cell science in this country.
For a long time I have watched while superstitious fanatics have bitched and moaned about “playing god” when it comes to stem cell research. No matter what those simpletons say, it’s pretty damn impressive what U-M was able to pull off despite limited resources.
Sadly, that same group of people who do not support stem cell research because they think its ungodly are a big factor in the upcoming elections.
Now I can sit back and laugh/yell at the TV when I watch while some opportunistic politician comes out and whines about stem cells and god’s will. Political hacks know that these people are among the easiest to manipulate.
Thanks to these nitwits, this amazing development – which could end disease and suffering – is still not a lock to receive federal funding.
