The stem cell ad story starring Gov. Christine Gregoire sparked much controversy. The ad featured a mother who cries as she talks about her sick child and the fact that Dino Rossi, the Republican candidate for governor, doesn’t support stem-cell research that might save her son.

The ad has sparked the stem cell controversy yet another time. The debate became more intense when the story board openly accuses politician like Dino Rossi against stem cell research. On the other hand, Rossi’s supporters said his campaign had supported the research using adult stem cells. However, he opposes the embryonic stem cells, which are collected from embryos that are destroyed in the process.

Embryonic stem cells are prized because they are remarkably versatile and, many scientists say, may one day be used to grow muscles, nerves and even whole organs.

Jill Strait, a spokeswoman for Rossi, contends that Gregoire

“has done nothing to advance stem-cell research over the last four years and there’s no reason to believe she’ll do anything in the next four.”

She said the Life Sciences Discovery Fund, created by Gregoire to fund health research in the state, has not awarded any grants dealing with stem-cell research.

Gregoire’s campaign said the governor has stated repeatedly that any proposed tax increase should go to a vote of the people. The governor also has said nobody should be talking about taxes now, given turmoil in the economy.

The stem-cell debate has been used by the Gregoire campaign to highlight the differences between the two candidates on social issues, including abortion.

Source: The Seattle Times