| Page 2 of 2 < |
Wis. Governor Race Focuses on Stem Cells
In Iowa, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chet Culver has promised to rescind the state's ban on a form of stem cell research known as therapeutic cloning and build a university center for regenerative medicine. He contends the state is losing key researchers and criticizes GOP opponent Rep. Jim Nussle for backing Bush's restrictions.
In Michigan, Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm wants to lift the state's restrictions in a stance that won her the endorsement of boxing legend Muhammad Ali, who suffers from Parkinson's. Republican Dick DeVos backs the limits, which do not allow researchers to use embryos leftover from the state's fertility clinics.
  Wisconsin Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle, right, and Republican challenger Rep. Mark Green participate in a televised gubernatorial debate Friday, Oct. 6, 2006, in Milwaukee. Gov. Doyle used his closing argument in the recent debate to hammer his opponent one more time for opposing embryonic stem cell research. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) (Morry Gash - AP) |
In Missouri, voters are considering a ballot measure to amend the state constitution to protect all federally allowed forms of the research. In a new ad, actor Michael J. Fox _ his body wracked with tremors from Parkinson's _ speaks out for Democratic Senate candidate Claire McCaskill, who supports embryonic stem cell research.
Fox has also campaigned for Doyle as well as several other candidates who support the research.
In Wisconsin, Doyle's stance appeals to people like George Prescott, a retired owner of grocery stores who suffers from Parkinson's. A lifelong Republican, Prescott said he voted against Doyle in 2002. He has switched his allegiance.
"I'm disappointed that my party took the wrong position on this," Prescott said. "It's an unwise and dangerous position to take and I hope they get quite a lesson back from it."
Scientists and patients' advocates formed a group called Stem Cell Champions for Doyle, which includes Stephanie Monday, a 43-year-old Madison woman who suffers from multiple sclerosis and says she's never been active politically until now.
"He's a person like the rest of us: He's trying to do a good thing for people," she said. "This is a very pivotal issue."
The issue has put Doyle, a Catholic, at odds with church leaders in the state. It also risks motivating the state's powerful anti-abortion groups that back Green, also a Catholic.
With the race so tight, the issue could help Doyle, said Arthur Caplan, a University of Pennsylvania professor of bioethics who follows stem cell politics.
"Doyle has chosen to really feature it and he's using it as not only one of the moral distinctions between him and Green but also economic," he said. "I don't know if it's enough to swing the election but most people want biotechnology."
State policies vary widely, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. California and five other states have moved to pour millions of dollars into the field while others have restrictions or bans that hamper the research.
Many research advocates are focusing their efforts on getting more sympathetic members elected to Congress rather than on gubernatorial races. They hope to have enough votes to override Bush's veto.
"The governor's races are very important but the big pot of money is federal money," said Idelle Datlof, executive director of the Stem Cell Action Network.
