Fosters.com - Actor Pushes Stem Cell Research: Michael J. Fox Visits Durham on Behalf of Shaheen Senate Campaign

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By: Jennifer Keefe

In 2002, doctors told Stefany Shaheen there would be a cure in six to 12 years for type 1 diabetes, the disease afflicting her 9-year-old daughter Elle.

Seven years later, she is still waiting, feeling a "tremendous sense of urgency."

The daughter of Democratic U.S. Senate hopeful Jeanne Shaheen relayed her story before introducing the candidate and actor and activist Michael J. Fox to a full house at the University of New Hampshire's Granite State Room on Tuesday.

Fox, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease nearly a decade ago, heads a research foundation in his name and has been a strong advocate for expanding stem cell research and a finding a cure for Parkinson's, which is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system, and other diseases.

Fox said it's time to "take the politics out of science," and urged voters to support Shaheen because "she wants to move science forward."

"Jeanne will be a leader in New Hampshire on an issue that is so critical to many families," he said.

Shaheen said her opponent, Republican U.S. Sen. John Sununu, voted against proposals in 2006 and 2007 that would have increased federal funding for research.

"I think that researchers should be permitted and encouraged to pursue both embryonic and adult stem cell research, with ethical oversight from the National Institutes of Health," Shaheen said.

Sununu, who has spoken out against using taxpayers' money to fund research, said in a statement that he's proud to have been able to "protect funding for the National Science Foundation from political manipulation and fully support funding for adult and amniotic stem cell research, which has already resulted in a number of treatments that have proven to be successful in patient trials."

Plus, he said, "I have consistently supported legislation to enhance the development and study of pluripotent embryonic stem cells, which have the potential to provide valuable scientific research without destroying human embryos."

Fox said "ideology has dictated science policy in Washington" for too long.

"There are those who say the research into embryonic stem cell research is over," but it isn't, he said. "It's time to let scientists be innovative and resourceful with no political barriers."

While Shaheen campaigned on the issue of stem cell research in 2002, the issue became a reality for the family when Elle was diagnosed.

"I believe that Elle and kids just like her here in New Hampshire and all over the country deserve the very best medical care we can give them," Shaheen said. "I believe that families in New Hampshire have the right to the best medical research."

While presidential candidates Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama have voted in favor of greater federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, Fox told The Associated Press "there's no mystery" about Obama's sustained support.

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