Michigan Proposal 08-2 was a proposal to amend the
Michigan Constitution to remove restrictions on
stem cell
In multicellular organisms, stem cells are undifferentiated or partially differentiated cells that can differentiate into various types of cells and proliferate indefinitely to produce more of the same stem cell. They are the earliest type o ...
research in Michigan while maintaining the ban on human cloning. Opponents argued that it would raise taxes. The proposal was passed on November 4, 2008 by voters by a 53 - 47% margin.
Contents
The proposal appeared on the ballot as follows:
Support
In October, former President
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson Clinton ( né Blythe III; born August 19, 1946) is an American politician who served as the 42nd president of the United States from 1993 to 2001. He previously served as governor of Arkansas from 1979 to 1981 and agai ...
came to Michigan to speak in favor of adopting Proposal 2. The
Michigan State Medical Society The Michigan State Medical Society (MSMS) is a professional association representing more than 15,000 physicians in Michigan
Michigan () is a state in the Great Lakes region of the upper Midwestern United States. With a population of nearly ...
took a neutral position on the ballot measure.
Aftermath
In March 2009,
TechTown
TechTown is an urban research and technology business park located just north of the Edsel Ford Freeway (I-94) in the New Center area of Detroit. The organization defines itself as "a community of entrepreneurs, investors, mentors, service provi ...
announced the opening of a stem cell research lab in Detroit. However, the opening was delayed because TechTown had trouble getting funds and State Senator
Thomas George attempted to the weaken the amendment with legislation he introduced.
References
{{reflist
External links
Michigan Stem Cell Initiative (2008)on
Ballotpedia
Ballotpedia is a nonprofit and nonpartisan online political encyclopedia that covers federal, state, and local politics, elections, and public policy in the United States. The website was founded in 2007. Ballotpedia is sponsored by the Lucy Bur ...
Letter of opposition from Michigan Catholic Bishops
Stem cell research
2008 in American law
Michigan Proposal 2
Michigan ballot proposals
Proposal 2