Stem cell proposal

MICHIGAN (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - A proposal on the ballot in Michigan for November is making headlines and generating controversy.

Michigan's Proposal-2 would loosen restrictions on embryonic stem cell research. Some say it would give the state a leg-up in research into life-saving cures, but a new ad campaign is questioning that, and how much it would cost.

Newschannel 3 went out to take a look at both sides of the issue.

Opponents of Proposal-2 say that '2 goes too far' and that it would be costly to Michigan taxpayers. Their ad started airing this past Monday to make that case. In a season with plenty of political ads, this one is really tapping the current political climate with concerns over money.

The group against Michigan's Proposal-2 says expanding embryonic stem cell research will hit your pocketbook hard.

But for people Like Rob Andro, Proposal-2 could mean a lot. He has two parents that have dealt with diabetes and knows his niece is headed down that road as well, but stem cell research could save her.

"I think it's the best thing we could do, because it's the closest thing to curing it," Andro said.

But he can see the message of the ad, and admits that new research could cost money, but also feels it's worth the extra spending.

"If it costs all of us a couple of extra dollars to bring in countless numbers of jobs and cure a disease that's costing our country millions," Andro said. "Whether it's diabetes, Parkinsons, spinal injuries; stem cell research could help cure all of those."

The language of Proposal-2 doesn't say anything about government funding of stem cell research, but one group says it will be there.

"Since it's already happening with federal dollars, they must be talking state dollars," said David Doyle, Spokesperson Michigan Citizens Against Unrestricted Science and Experimentation.

And while Andro understands that people don't want to spend, he feels it would be different if the roles were reversed.

"I could be sure that if any one of those people who had a family member who had diabetes, who had Parkinsons or a spinal cord injury, they would be right on board with us," Andro said.