Published: August 20, 2008 10:05 am      

Stem cell ballot proposal advancing

LANSING (AP) -- A proposal aimed at loosening Michigan's restrictions on embryonic stem cell research appears likely to make the November ballot, based on a report from state election officials released Tuesday.

An estimate by state election officials found that supporters of the proposed constitutional amendment gathered about 498,000 valid voter signatures. That's well above the roughly 380,000 signatures needed to make the ballot.

The Board of State Canvassers is expected to OK the report as early as Thursday.

Opponents of the proposal didn't fight the signatures. They instead are focusing their efforts on defeating it at the ballot box.

Michigan's embryonic stem cell research laws are among the nation's most restrictive.

Supporters of the proposal say it would boost the search for cures and treatments for diseases such as diabetes, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

But some oppose the research method because it includes the destruction of human embryos.

The proposal would change state law to allow people to donate embryos that otherwise would be discarded because they are left over from fertility treatments.