Lawmakers praise stem cell funding
August 30, 2007
By Steven Ross Johnson STAFF WRITER
In a move completely contrary to the contentious atmosphere that has
surrounded Springfield in recent months, local lawmakers on Wednesday
commended a newly signed measure to provide state funding for
embryonic stem cell research.
State Sen. Michael Noland, D-Elgin, and Rep. Ruth Munson, R-Elgin,
found themselves on the same side of an issue this time around --
after months of bickering, walkouts and threats of lawsuits by their
colleagues in the effort to pass a new state budget.
"I think other states will follow," he said. "It will send a clear
message to the federal government that the states are divided in
this, but that the trend, however, is to accept this line of stem
cell research, and that it will be very beneficial not only to the
states that adopt these types of laws, but for the nation."
Though Munson could agree on the law's benefits, she also praised
Gov. Rod Blagojevich for taking a more collaborative approach.
"This time he went about it the right way," she said. "It passed the
legislature and he signed the bill and we'll fund it.
"In the past he did it unilaterally without the support of the
legislature -- so I think it's a good step."
Blagojevich signed the Stem Cell Research and Human Cloning
Prohibition Act on Tuesday. The law allows stem cell researchers to
receive state funding while placing bans on any attempts to clone
human beings.
"Stem cell research has limitless potential to help cure devastating
diseases -- from Parkinson's to diabetes, and even many forms of
cancer, "Blagojevich said in a release. "Since the federal government
continues to stall the medical advancements that will come with stem
cell research, it is up to Illinois to take action."
The law permanently put in place a 2005 executive order that
allocated $15 million toward the Illinois Regenerative Medicine
Institute -- a program designed to provide grants for stem cell
research for the purpose of finding potential cures or treatments for
diseases and injuries.
Controversy has erupted in recent years throughout the country over
the use of embryonic stem cells. Scientists have been intrigued by
their regenerative abilities -- eyeing their potential to serve as a
repair system for other cells within the body.
Opponents have argued the use of embryonic stem cells devalues human
life, because a fertilized egg has the potential of producing a fully
developed human being.
Munson said she originally voted against the measure when it first
was introduced, but she changed her mind after speaking with
constituents and members of the scientific community who explained
the medical and economic benefits Illinois stood to gain with added
support.
"Stem cell research is something that moved on to another state for
research purposes," she said. "The innovation that came out of that --
the benefit of that -- went to another state. I took all of that
into consideration.
"I know it's controversial, but I made the decision to support it at
this time when I had not the first time it came around."
The new law goes into effect Jan. 1.
Be well,
Jim AKA- pigiron308@yahoo.
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