The debate on stem cell research continues locally, even though President Bush vetoed last week the embryonic stem cell bill that would provide federal funding for the research.

U.S. Rep. Sander Levin, D-Royal Oak, hosted a luncheon Tuesday to discuss stem cell research and educate participants at Gilda's Club on Rochester Road.
Levin said now is the time to continue discussions on the topic.

"Some people see this as a time for hiatus," he said. "Now (we should) not pause, but accelerate public discussion."

Levin said medical research in general is important because without it our society will not progress.

"There are not guaranteed results of science," he said. "But without science there is a guarantee there will be no results."

Presenting an educational slide show on stem cells, Sue O'Shea, the director of Michigan Center for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research, said Michigan's biggest problem is state laws restricting research, which leaves Michigan lagging behind other states. California and New Jersey have laws permitting stem cell research.

Two Michigan laws make illegal a process called somatic cell nuclear transfer, which  is the equivalent of human cloning and a law that requires research on embryos to directly benefit that specific embryo.

O'Shea said the law against somatic cell nuclear transfer is in place out of fear of human cloning. But researchers believe that process would benefit organ transplant recipients.

O'Shea said researchers only want to be able to clone organs to replace malfunctioning ones, which would reduce or abolish the need for transplants.

And, she said, human cloning is not possible yet.

State Rep. Andy Meisner (D-Ferndale), who co-hosted the event with Levin, touted his newly introduced bills on this topic.

Meisner has introduced two bills to change some of the stem cell laws in Michigan.

One would make human cloning a felony with stiff penalties; the second would permit somatic cell nuclear transfer research and embryonic stem cell research.

Other locals joined the discussion.

Ferndale Mayor Bob Porter offered his city's community access station to help educate the public on the stem cell debate.

"People need to understand," he said. "(Often) when you say stem cells you get a blank look."

Several attendees came because they have Multiple Sclerosis.

Ellen Lipton of Huntington Woods, a patent attorney, has the autoimmune disease. Lipton takes a weekly dose of medications that keeps the disease at bay, but there is no cure for MS. With MS, the body's immune system attacks the coating, called myelin, that surrounds the nerves in the central nervous system.

At 39, Lipton said without her medication she would probably not be able to take care of her children.

"I would probably be limited in what I can do," she said.

But with stem cells, Lipton said, the hope is that her disease would be cured.

Other locals showed up to learn what they can do to educate peers.

Barry Blauer, a Berkley School Board member, was there to learn.

This weekend, he is joining the Breast Cancer 3-Day walk and plans to discuss stem cell research with attendees.

He said he will make an effort to talk to friends and neighbors.

"Now I know what I need to know (in order) to talk about it," he said. 

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