Sean Morrison interviewed on Detroit Today about stem cell research

Sean Morrison was interviewed for a segment on stem cell research on the November 5, 2007, edition of Detroit Today on WDET 101.9 FM, Detroit Public Radio. An audio clip is forthcoming.

From the episode webpage:

On Wednesday, The US House Judiciary Committee will discuss relaxing Michigan's restrictions on embryonic stem cell research and strengthening the ban on human reproductive cloning. Michigan's current embryonic stem cell research laws are among the most restrictive in the nation. We’ll speak with Ed Rivet of Right to Life and Dr Shawn Morrison of U of M Life Science Institute.

Listen to the whole radio show (mp3)

Morrison posted a comment about some remarks made in the segment:

I just listened to your interview with Ed Rivet and wanted to correct two things. First, embryonic stem cells are not like steel. We do our best to study these cells but there are types of studies on diseases that affect the people of Michigan that we cannot do because the embryonic stem cell lines don't exist.

Second, embryo adoption doesn't come close to being an alternative use for embryos discarded by fertility clinics. Most parents are more comfortable donating their embryos for research that could help patients, rather than putting them up for adoption. Moreover, there are very few people out there that want to adopt the embryos of others. There have only been 134 children born from adopted embryos over the past 10 years. This does not represent an alternative to the 400,000 embryos currently frozen down. It should be left up to parents to decide whether to put their unused embryos up for adoption, or to donate them for research.