"In nothing do men more nearly approach the gods than in giving health to men."

Below is an excerpt of a letter I wrote to a friend recently regarding Proposition 2 that will appear on the Michigan ballot this Nov 4th. I thought it important to post because of some frighteningly immature, pointless and downright ridiculous ads I've been seeing lately. One day I hope people will learn that all scare tactics and threats can be counteracted with information, intelligence, patience and the desire to do so:

Proposition 2 is as clear in it's language as it is in its message. I've included a copy of the proposition in this letter so you can see what I mean. In my mind, this is a no brainer. Stem Cell Research, while it's had it's setbacks, has still shown some great promise when it comes to curing and aiding in the treatment of severe medical maladies that are effecting millions of people around the world.

The reason most social conservatives and religious are against Proposition 2, is because they for some reason link Stem Cell Research with cloning which couldn't be more ignorant. Most of the arguments made by the fat cat "2 goes 2 far" group, Michigan Citizens Against Unrestricted Science and Experimentation (or MICAUSE) are clearly false, fear mongering ideas that actually have nothing to do with the language of the Proposal.

For example the following are bolded statements from the MICAUSE website:

Prop. 2 Allows Buying, Selling & Killing Human Embryos

Clearly, if one were to just take the 30 seconds and READ the proposition they'd see that bullet point two in the proposition clearly states:

(Prop 2 would) Prohibit any person from selling or purchasing human embryos for stem cell research.

That clearly shows that the people who are against said amendment have completely disregarded the language and intent of the actual proposition.

Another example of the ignorance of MICAUSE:

Prop. 2 is About Unrestricted Research on Live Human Embryos

Same situation. If they were to read the stipulations under the FIRST bullet point in the Proposition, they would clearly see that the embryos:

-- are created for fertility treatment purposes;
-- are not suitable for implantation or are in excess of clinical needs;
-- would be discarded unless used for research;
-- were donated by the person seeking fertility treatment.


These are only two major arguments that have not a foot to stand on the from the opposition of proposal 2. What stem cell research comes down to isn't cloning, or building some sort of super race, it's about helping people. Medical advances in the last 60 years have eclipsed those in the last 5 million before that combined. We now know more than we've ever known and more people around the world are able to live healthier lives and find treatment for what medically hampers them. This Proposition is about not being selfish.

Just like the Stem Cell controversy all over the country, the decision is simple. Curing and helping people needs to be a priority. Those who are against this for medical reason haven't done enough research. They are basing their arguments on hearsay and falsities and are a sad excuse for the "informed". Those who are basing their argument on religious reasons are selfish and going against everything true religion stands for. Proposition 2 doesn't kill babies. It doesn't take something that would have grown into a healthy human being and use it for scary lab experiments. Proposition two opens up a whole new world of research that could potentially cure or treat disease once thought to be explicitly fatal. Proposition 2 is about surrendering our own stubborn and false beliefs for the betterment of mankind as a whole and that's why I'll be voting "yes" on Proposition 2 come November.

I hope my position doesn't sway yours, but my example and arguments influence your decision in positive manner. The beautiful thing about the election process is once you get in that ballot casting booth the decision is yours, and yours alone. Not all of us can be brilliant doctors and scientists that can cure cancer, but Proposition 2 is our opportunity to be part of a cure, something way bigger than ourselves.

I want to make one thing clear. I respect the right for people to believe in any religion or belief structure they want, but when their beliefs infringe on the right of others to get medical care, a problem is created. I'll loosely quote the great George Carlin when I say "You can keep the ten commandments as long as you include one additional commandment;

Thou shall keep thy religion to thyself"

Your Pal,
Gabe