LANSING – Saying Michigan residents are getting the wrong information about embryonic stem cell research and that the state mustn’t be left out of the effort to capitalize on the research, U.S. Sen. Carl Levin (D-Detroit), U.S. Rep. Joe Schwarz (R-Battle Creek) and others announced on Monday the formation of a new organization to help distribute information about stem cell research.

Michigan Citizens for Stem Cell Research and Cures, a 501(c)3 organization, said Monday in press conferences in Lansing and Detroit their efforts to help educate the public about the potential benefits of embryonic stem cell research, as well as the limits of research using adult stem cells and cord blood stem cells. As a charitable and education organization, the group will not endorse candidates or legislation.

But as Schwarz put it to reporters after the press conference, one of the organization’s chief efforts are “to put truth to the lie that adult stem cells and umbilical stem cells” are as efficacious as embryonic stem cells. Adult and umbilical – cord blood – stem cells can only reproduce the cells from the organ they are taken from. Embryonic stem cells can reproduce into any organ.

Michigan has some of the strictest laws against stem cell research, passed in the late 1990s as part of legislation banning human cloning.

In fact, David Maluchnik of the Michigan Catholic Conference said tying embryonic stem research to human cloning will be a part of the effort opponents of the research will use to block any changes in the law.

Supporters of embryonic stem cell research “absolutely refuse to discuss human cloning,” Maluchnik said.

He also said this effort is the first salvo on behalf of supporters to put a ballot issue before the voters in 2008.

During the press conference, there was no discussion of a ballot proposal, but Schwarz did say afterwards there was the chance of a ballot proposal later on.

Schwarz also said that “nothing is more pro-life than helping the living” through this research. To reporters he acknowledged his support of the issue played a role in his losing renomination for the U.S. House in the August primary to former state Rep. Tim Walberg.

And Levin said the research “could offer to millions of Americans suffering from disease not just hope but cures.”

Sean Morrison of the University of Michigan’s Center for Stem Cell Biology said he works every day with adult stem cells and cord blood cells, and while they have therapeutic potential they do not have the same scientific properties as embryonic stem cells.

“This is the greatest scientific opportunity of the new century,” Morrison said. “If we are really serious about fighting disease we have to use adult stem cells and embryonic stem cell research.”

In addition to its therapeutic potential, Stephen Rapundalo, executive director of MichBio, said stem cell research also could play a vital role in developing Michigan’s life sciences industry.

“We can’t afford to lose our top researchers to other states,” Rapundalo said.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm, who has called for the Legislature to enact legislation allowing for stem cell research, serves on the group’s advisory committee.

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