What would the proposed changes to Michigans law do?
Currently, Michigan law is more restrictive than federal policy. Michigan bans any research on embryos if “the research substantially jeopardizes the life or health of the embryo” without having any therapeutic benefit for the embryo. The law also makes it a crime, with a fine of up to $10 million and up to 10 years in prison, to use somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) to produce a human embryo. These prohibitions essentially restrict embryonic stem cell researchers in Michigan to conducting research on embryonic stem cell lines imported from other states. Meanwhile, other states are developing robust industries based on research using embryonic stem cells, creating jobs and the potential for important cures. Sen. Gretchen Whitmer has proposed legislation to reform this law. Others are considering introducing legislation. These proposals would, in general: • Remove restrictions on the derivation of new embryonic stem cell lines from embryos that are currently discarded by in vitro fer
