Group Collecting Signatures for Stem Cell Research
Local News
by
Nicole Sabbatino
last edited on
Thursday, November 12, 2009
A group called "South Dakotans for Life-Saving Cures" has started to gather signatures, in hopes a measure allowing embryonic stem cell research would be put on the Nov. 2010 election ballot.
However, a group called "The Coalition for Cures Not Cloning" opposes the attempt to lift the ban on embryonic stem cell research in South Dakota.
“Human cloning and embryonic stem cell research and the effort to bring that to South Dakota is irresponsible as neither has ever provided one patient with a cure or treatment for their ailments," says Chris Hupke of the Family Policy Council.
However, South Dakotans for Lifesaving Cures believes both adult and embryonic stem cell research hold great promise and should be pursued ethically.
"This does not include abortion, this does not include fetuses. This involves embryos that are frozen and would be discarded, and they are donated by the parents," says David Volk of South Dakotans for Life Saving Cures.
South Dakotans for Life-Saving Cures must collect more than 16,000 signatures by Apr. to be eligible for the Nov. ballot.