The Michael J. Fox Effect

My link roundup of feminist bloggers' commentary on the Michael J. Fox ad for Claire McCaskill and right-wing reaction to it.

Roxanne Cooper at Rox Populi, "You Know Why They're Going After Michael J. Fox, Right?"

Taylor Marsh, "Worth the Gamble":

"It's not about what we can prove today. It's about what we may learn and be able to do in the future. It is the very basis of technology and science, medicine and mining for cures, things that Democrats have championed for decades. It's also about The Common Good."

The Mahablog, "Shameless":

"I'm not talking about Michael J. Fox's television ad for Claire McCaskill. I'm talking about rightie reaction to it."

Jill at Feministe, "Michael J. Fox: 1, B-List Godbag Celebrities: 0":

"Let's get this straight: Because there won't be cures for 15 years, stem cell research is useless. Because fertility clinics can pay women for eggs (which they already do), stem cell research is bad. Because proponents of stem cell research spend a lot of money on ads, it's a lie. Because Movie Jesus tells you in a foreboding tone that 'You know now. Don't do it,' you shouldn't.

"Strong arguments you're presenting there, guys. Maybe next time you should just invite Rush over to give his two cents, and perhaps hear a little bit from Dr. O'Reilly."

Shelley Powers at Just Shelley, "Stem Cell Research, Michael J Fox, and Politics as Usual in Missouri":

"Watch this ad, then read the bill. Amendment 2 is not just a Democratic amendment. Our Republican governor supports it as do other government officials. Where the political aspect of this arises is that Jim Talent is a conservative Christian in a state where that should give one pause… a great deal of pause. When one thinks on what state legislature have tried to put through in the past, it should give Missourians a great deal more than a pause."

Egalia at Tennessee Guerilla Women, "Olbermann Blasts Limbaugh for Attack on Michael J. Fox (video)":

"Fortunately most of us are not strung out on hillbilly heroin and actually have something called compassion. Fortunately, Michael's ad is waking people up to the reality-based world, you know the world where people actually have real diseases that need real cures.

The Michael J. Fox Effect

'Republicans who indicated that they were voting for a Republican candidate decreased by 10% after viewing the ad (77% to 67%). Independents planning to vote for Democrats increased by 10%, from 39% to 49%.'

Photo: Debi Brooks, President & CEO, and Michael J. Fox, Founder, The Michael J. Fox Foundation For Parkinson's Research

BlogHer Contributing Editor Melinda Casino also writes at Sour Duck.

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Submitted by Melinda Casino (view blog

) on Mon, 10/30/2006 - 11:46

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The "Rightie" Reaction is

The "Rightie" Reaction is just that: the right reaction. Cultivating embryos for deliberate destruction is wrong. It's immoral. It's something that should not be done.

In the last 15 years, since 1991, there has not been one single treatment from embryonic stem cell research.

Adult stem cell research has produced more than 30 treatments and cures.

What is so hard to understand? IVF clinics aid in fertilizing eggs to create embryos with the intention of producing a baby. I can understand why many women would want to have a baby. I had fertility issues myself. I cannot participate in IVF because of my religion -- because the cultivation of embryos is destructive.

The "extra" embryos that are being "stored" in these clinics should not be destroyed. If anything, the embryos should be donated to other infertile couples or surrogates. I know that's a lot to ask -- but think of the millions of people looking to adopt children? Why shouldn't we give them the chance to be parents instead of killing innocent embryos?

Submitted by Dana J. Tuszke on Tue, 10/31/2006 - 15:41

My understanding

My understanding is that any woman wanting to "adopt" an embryo, have it implanted, and carry any resulting pregnancy to term is not turned away. Are you claiming that women are trying to be implanted with these embryos, but scientists are refusing on the basis that they'd rather destroy the embryos? That would be interesting to know, if you have evidence.

Laura Scott
design, snap, blog ... admin

Submitted by Laura Scott on Fri, 11/03/2006 - 12:24

Left, Right, GO AWAY

Please, let Missourians elect our own representatives. In the past 10 days, I've gotten 50 recorded messages from hyped-up, slathering at the bit Claire McCaskill supporters: if I'd been tempted to vote for her on her record, the out-of-state support would kill it. Stem cell research is 2006's Choice/Life and Gay Marriage/Opposition issue of 2006, the all-too-successful to nationalize politics and influence (corrupt?) local elelctions. MUST we talk about it more?

Alanna Kellogg, A Veggie Venture

Submitted by Alanna Kellogg on Fri, 11/03/2006 - 11:53

NIH

The NIH
States that President Bush's fed. policy on stem cell research is:

Federal Policy
The President's Criteria

On August 9th, 2001, President George W. Bush announced that federal funds may be awarded for research using human embryonic stem cells if the following criteria are met:

* The derivation process (which begins with the destruction of the embryo) was initiated prior to 9:00 P.M. EDT on August 9, 2001.
* The stem cells must have been derived from an embryo that was created for reproductive purposes and was no longer needed.
* Informed consent must have been obtained for the donation of the embryo and that donation must not have involved financial inducements.

so research on embryonic stem cells is allowed but under these specific conditions?

On another front,an embryo is only a few days old and has potential for life, but is not life. (Ok I know there is a huge debate on when does life begin and I will probably be annoying people with my interpretation. I want to say in advance we all have different beliefs about this and we are all entitled to our own opinions)

Instead of adopting embryos why don't we adopt children that are alive right now and need our help. Wouldn't it be more humanitarian to adopt a life than a potential life?

Birdsword

Submitted by Roberta on Fri, 11/03/2006 - 20:53