The Role of the Attorney General in Stem Cell Research and Why I Support Jerry Brown
By Karen Miner
As a strong supporter of stem cell research, and a member of California's five-million-strong disability community, California must choose our Attorney General wisely.
Jerry Brown supports stem cell research, the clearly expressed will of the California people. By an overwhelming majority, California voted to support stem cell research. Our California Institute for Regenerative Medicine is the envy of the world. It offers hope to suffering millions.
(View the complete video documentary at New West Notes)
Unfortunately, ideological opponents of the research are suing to shut it down, using the courts to stop the research.
California's next Attorney General will either delay or advance embryonic stem cell research.
Jerry Brown's opponent, Chuck Poochigian, is against stem cell research. He has worked against it for years. In addition to opposing Proposition 71, he voted against Senate Bill 253, which formally approved and encouraged stem cell research in California. He was also against Senate Joint Resolution 38, which requested the President and Congress to reject pending legislation that would impede stem cell research.
Chuck Poochigian is supported by ideological opponents of stem cell research. He was given a รข 100% rating from the ultra-conservative California Pro-Life Council, which is strongly anti-embryonic stem cell research.
Jerry Brown, however, has pledged to defend California's laws against legal attacks on stem cell research. He has given his word to fight all attempts to substitute fundamentalist theology for sound science.
Chuck Poochigian has fought AGAINST stem cell research at every opportunity!
One candidate against stem cell research, one candidate who supports it for me, for millions of voters with disabilities, and for California, Jerry Brown is the only possible choice - and a great choice.
Karen Miner was a Realtor. On her way back to the office after closing an especially hard escrow and in a hurry to get home to her children, then 4 and 5 years old, she lost control of her car on a wet, slippery mountain road and rolled 100 feet down an embankment. She sustained a C 3-4 spinal cord injury and was told that she would never walk or use her arms again. That was 1992, six years before the discovery of human embryonic stem cells. Her hope for recovery is now based on science.
Miner is cofounder of Research for Cure, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to raise funds for medical research. She is also cofounder of Californians for Cures, advocates for research for cures of spinal cord injuries and human embryonic stem cell research. She works with Don Reed, author of Stem Cell Battles
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