Even as scientific advancements on stem cell research have vindicated George W. Bush's resistance to destroy actual embryos, Michael J. Fox refused to give the President any credit on Monday's "Today" show, instead choosing to indirectly insult him as he declared that after the next election "the chances are very good that there's gonna be a new attitude towards science."
When asked by NBC's Maria Menounos, whether the ability to reprogram ordinary cells to mimic those of embyronic stem cells changed his view on the issue, Fox refused to abandon the practice of embryo destruction as he warned: "At the same time too we don't want to discontinue the embryonic stem cell research that's being done because one begat the other and, and it all becomes part of a broad canvas that we want to continue to work on."
The following is the full segment as it aired on the December 3, edition of "Today":
MEREDITH VIEIRA: With an engaging personality and enormous star power Michael J. Fox has emerged as the leader in the fight against Parkinson's Disease. Recently our West Coast contributor Maria Menenous caught up with Fox at his foundation's annual fundraiser to talk about his life and the latest discovery in stem cell research.
MARIA MENOUNOS: Scientists have now found a way to reprogram ordinary cells-
MICHAEL J. FOX: Right
MENOUNOS: -to mimic the same actions of, of an embryonic stem cell.
FOX: Embryonic stem cell, yeah.
MENOUNOS: Tell me what that does to Parkinson's and how exciting that was for you?
FOX: Well any of these breakthroughs are fantastic. And it's just thrilling. And at the same time too we don't want to discontinue the embryonic stem cell research that's being done because one begat the other and, and it all becomes part of a broad canvas that we want to continue to work on.
MENOUNOS: Do you think that this will end the whole hot button issue of stem cell research?
FOX: Well I want to make sure that we, that, that doesn't happen. But I think that the bottom line is whatever happens in the next election, the chances are very good that there's gonna be a new attitude towards science.
MENOUNOS: Does stem cell research affect who you're backing in the election this year?
FOX: Well just about everybody's in favor of it with the couple of exceptions on the, on the Republican side. But, but what I did in the last election in the midterm was not about parties but, but about who was in a race where they supported stem cell research and, and were, were opposed by someone who's not in favor of stem cell research.
MENOUNOS: Who are you backing this election?
FOX: Whoever the most pro-science candidate is that comes out of either primary.
MENOUNOS: What would be the one thing that would surprise people about your life?
FOX: Well I, I think that people focus on the fact that I have this condition might be surprised at how happy I am, how productive I am and how much enthusiasm I have for life. I mean it happened to be that, that it created an opportunity for me to do things that I might not have otherwise had done. And, and gave me a way to put the rest of my life in relief. So I, I say, yeah, this is a drag to have this. But put it against everything else and it's like a, it's like a pin in a haystack. I mean I have so many blessing and so much good stuff in my life that, that I just, I have an idiot grin on my face all the time.
VIEIRA: He is a great guy. You can see more of Maria's interview tonight on Access Hollywood.
—Geoffrey Dickens is the senior news analyst at the Media Research Center.
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Comments Policy
Stem Cells
December 3, 2007 - 17:43 ET by allanfAre infant stem cells about science or abortion advocacy?
In America today a thug can be charged with murdering a fetus that a mother can legally abort. How is that?
EXACTLY!!! In law school,
December 3, 2007 - 23:17 ET by mostlymoderateEXACTLY!!! In law school, NONE of my professors could answer "why" that is. You drive recklessly and kill a pregnant woman, you are looking at TWO involuntary manslaughters or TWO murders. But abortion is legal ?????
The standard changes later
December 4, 2007 - 08:04 ET by motherbeltThe standard changes later when the fetus if viable outside the womb. But apparently, in early pregnancy the standard is: if the mother "wants" it, it's a baby; if not, it's a clump of cells.
In Texas Killing of a Fetus is Murder except in an Abortion
December 4, 2007 - 09:12 ET by allanfAccording to the New York Times,
"..there's gonna be a new
December 3, 2007 - 17:44 ET by Chris Norman"..there's gonna be a new attitude towards science."
Oooh, Brave New World, here we come!
He means a new attitude
December 4, 2007 - 08:05 ET by motherbeltHe means a new attitude toward his preferred kind of science.
I cannot understand how the embryonic stem-cell advocates can simply ignore the advances made in adult stem-cell research. Why are they so adamant that the therapies must come from embryonic cells?
And once agian, the govrnment it not forbidding embryonic stem cell research; it is simply not funding it. When you see the profit drug companies make by producing a newer, better, or lifesaving drug, don't you think if stem cell research looked so promising, the bio companies would be pouring their own money into it?
Politicians of the left & right both seem to assume...
December 4, 2007 - 08:30 ET by sarcasmoObese-government should be the driving force behind scientific research, whether it's research into drugs or anything else, to the point that it's a virtual monopoly. If I'm right, it's hard to say how that distorts the marketplace, but it's a certainty that the distortion hurts most people even if most people don't always see it.
Maybe the free marketplace and capitalism instead of creeping-socialism can show us not just what will work, but what's morally right. When I look at some of the ideas that fail in the marketplace I defend constantly, I'll admit that I sometimes wonder just how free it really-is.
JMR
Rally online with fans of Dr. Ron Paul.
Stem Cell research
December 3, 2007 - 17:54 ET by HermanoEver wonder why the drug companies that invest their own (read investors) money only look at adult stem cells? Because nothing has come out of embryonic stem cell research. It is like throwing money down a hole. Last weeks discovery is yet another indication that we should be able to do more with adult stem cells.
Embryonic Stem Cell research
December 3, 2007 - 17:56 ET by KillgraveEmbryonic Stem Cell research is purely an emotional, not intellectual, topic, along with Intelligent Design.
It's issues like these two that drive moderates, centrists, and libertarians away from the Republican party.
And yes, Fox chooses to be in the limelight and is not above criticism, but for F's sake, the man is dying.
What and YOU aren't. Check
December 3, 2007 - 18:02 ET by Right2thePointWhat and YOU aren't. Check back with me in a hundred or so years.
How do either of these
December 3, 2007 - 18:18 ET by mattmHow do either of these supposedly "emotional" issues drive moderates, centrists and libertarians (quite a variety there) away from the GOP?
Embryonic stem-cells have no more (and probably less) medical potential than adult stem-cells. Thus the hype over ESCs is motivated by something other than the supposed potential medical benefits...this 'something' is abortion.
I would think moderates and centrists, and maybe even libertarians, would take this kind of demagoguery as an insult to their intelligence and be driven away from the Democrat Party.
Precisely
December 3, 2007 - 20:30 ET by doug1950And if he weren't he would have never said a peep about stem cell research or lifted a finger to raise money for the cause or any cause.
Embryonic Stem Cell research is purely an emotional
December 3, 2007 - 23:07 ET by HypocriteHaterExplain to me what's intellectual about ignoring the reality that ESC research results aren't as successful as the adult stem cell results.
Dr. Hollands, who worked as a clinical embryologist at Bourn Hall Clinic - the world's first IVF unit, says that "common sense" dictates that resources be directed toward adult over embryonic stem cell research.
So why is MJF still grasping at ESC straws? It doesn't make intellectual sense.
Everyone on all sides can
December 4, 2007 - 08:46 ET by KillgraveEveryone on all sides can pull out studies supporting this and that.
My contention is that we shouldn't be slamming the door on a prevailing method, even though other doors are opening. We should be exploring all options when it comes curing terrible diseases people (in the here and now) are experiencing.
Pluripotential stem cells
December 4, 2007 - 09:40 ET by dervishare pluripotential stem cells, whether they're from embryos or adults. (Or so it appears -- stay tuned.)
That's like saying we should continue to cook with lard instead of switching to shortening. The same job gets done, but it makes a huge difference to vegetarians and non-partakers of pork products.
"Everyone on all sides can
December 4, 2007 - 10:47 ET by mattm"Everyone on all sides can pull out studies supporting this and that."
That's a cop out. And it's not even true. ESC research has failed to show ANY merit. It's only potential is that it could eventually show almost as much promise as adult stem cell research is already showing. And you don't have to kill the individual to get the cells.
The only reason for the ESC hype is to keep shoving abortion in everyone's faces and keeping the government checks coming. That's it. That's all it is.
But, if you think "we shouldn't be slamming the door on a prevailing method, even though other doors are opening" (BTW Adult stem cell research was going on BEFORE ESC), then why not start farming fetuses?
Think of the poor people who could make good money supplying fetuses to the medical research industry, and think of the research that could be done! Killing millions of humans might just be able to prolong the lives of hundreds of thousands of people!
Sound extreme? Well that's the end result of the amoralistic viewpoint that characterizes the promoters of ESC research and abortion, etc...
"I like this "My contention
December 4, 2007 - 11:23 ET by Dan The Man 2"I like this "My contention is that we shouldn't be slamming the door on a prevailing method, even though other doors are opening. We should be exploring all options when it comes curing terrible diseases people (in the here and now) are experiencing" because the Nazis thought exactly the same way. They wanted to find more cures and to do so they experimented on live human subjects. Yep now we have identified you, what dod you think.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
...
December 3, 2007 - 17:58 ET by dervish"...one begat the other and, and it all becomes part of a broad canvas that we want to continue to work on."
That sounds good, but it's pretty good evidence that this doof doesn't have a clue as to what he's talking about. (Or, if he knows, he's trying hard not to have to admit he was wrong.) I hope the new attitude toward science isn't the same as his.
"the chances are very good
December 3, 2007 - 17:59 ET by Right2thePoint"the chances are very good that there's gonna be a new attitude towards science."
No $hit Al Gore has proven that over and over.
Yeah
December 3, 2007 - 18:01 ET by phaedrus4617Saw that this morning. And he was off his meds again, exploiting his disease for political fun and profit.
By all means Michael, kill
December 3, 2007 - 18:09 ET by rbosqueBy all means Michael, kill more embryos if it means that you might get a second chance. I can see how you're more important.
Idiot.
Look why shove
December 3, 2007 - 18:40 ET by buddycLook why shove controversy in someone's face if you don't have to. We are not making it a crime. We are talking about using tax payer dollars for something that is extremely controversial and very hostile to certain religious views. If the new science works why force the issue? I wondered how embarassed the liberals might be because the got passed a billion dollar tax scam to fund this out of date "science". I guess not embarassed to keep their yaps shut.
Fox can't act. He is a has been in his profession. He is just another high school drop out trying to get some liberal casting agent's attention. "Look at me, I have been a good little liberal, give me a role or run more of my movies". He has no dignity.
So, NBC is now shilling for
December 3, 2007 - 19:11 ET by Roger the ShrubberSo, NBC is now shilling for non-network, syndicated crap shows like Excess Hollywood? Oh wait, it's because it bashes Bush, right? I get it now.
NBC's tentacles
December 3, 2007 - 23:07 ET by nkviking75So, NBC is now shilling for non-network, syndicated crap shows like Excess Hollywood? Oh wait, it's because it bashes Bush, right? I get it now.
At the bottom of the Access Hollywood website in very small, very light grey print, you'll see from the copyright notice that the program is produced by NBC/Universal.
But Bush bashing probably doesn't hurt.
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.
That would explain it. Thx
December 4, 2007 - 11:03 ET by Roger the ShrubberThat would explain it. Thx for the info.
Michael J. Fox..........Dr. Josef Mengele is calling
December 3, 2007 - 20:08 ET by Lame CherryMs. Menounos is one of the most distasteful of the leftist ilk which parades around entertainment "reporters". She should be checked for a Barbie Doll string as her leading questions sound like Goebbels propaganda.
So it is quite fitting in the butchering, poisoning, using of people for "research" that Michael J. Fox has won the Dr. Josef Mengele award for being a cannibal.
Fox in typical self loathing hatred instead of celebrating the end of stem cell butchery of children by the Wisconsin researcher who found he could develop stem cells from human skin tissue.........instead is vehement that babies must be destroyed.
Menounos should have asked the question of just why is it liberals want to murder every innocent life on the planet???????
Why does Michael J. Fox with an alternative as ALL medicine shows instead of butchering other humans........always become furious at the idea of saving life and only smiles when humans are slaughtered.
Michael J. Fox........Dr. Josef Mengele is calling, could you please give him an answer as he loved beasty experiments too on Jews.
*HIC IACET ARTORIVS REX QVONDAM REXQVE FVTVRVS
WOW! From Menounos to
December 3, 2007 - 20:15 ET by balboaWOW! From Menounos to Goebbels in one quick step! Bravo! Bravo!
Okay, let me get this straight...
December 3, 2007 - 20:55 ET by Tom1969caOkay, let me get this straight...
Science does not agree on AGW = MSM says AGW is a fact and anyone who disagrees is equal to a holocaust denier
Science has not cured anything with embryonic stem cells = MSM says we need a new attitude toward science
It took the Vatican 350 years after Galileo's death to admit that his science was right -- that's pretty quick compared to how long it takes the MSM to admit their mistakes.
~~~
The difference between liberals and conservatives is that conservatives believe liberals are wrong, while liberals believe conservatives are evil.
Michael, No one is stopping you from using your own money!!
December 3, 2007 - 21:34 ET by upcountrywaterStop asking to use my TAXES!
iranian uranium; iranian uranium, iranian uranium..
So when ARE the Russians going to finish the iranian atoms for peace power plant?
Being from Canada, he
December 3, 2007 - 23:28 ET by FishFace222Duplicate
Because he is from
December 3, 2007 - 23:27 ET by FishFace222Because he is from Canada, he probably believes the only way to get funding for this is through government. It's easier when they have to contribute (through taxes) than it is to voluntarily contribute (through charity).
Poor Mr. Fox he's lost
December 4, 2007 - 01:08 ET by MidAmericaPoor Mr. Fox he's lost his soapbox and political club to whack rightwingers with. Now even if somebody finds any kind of scientific breakthrough using an embryonic stem cell it won't matter. They didn't have to use embryos. and that's science. He won't have a role to play this time to elect dems. A good actor knows when to leave the stage.
This guy is pathetic excuse
December 4, 2007 - 00:11 ET by Richard RomanoThis guy is pathetic excuse for a human being -- I used to respect this guy, but he has become more and more foolish as he's gotten older.
Think about what he said, "At the same time too we don't want to discontinue the embryonic
stem cell research ."
This is despicable to me -- new research brings new real hope, and he refuses to listen. Shame on you Mr. Fox.
i say
December 4, 2007 - 00:16 ET by lunaticcringeradiohand him a petri dish full of stem cells, after he holds it for five minutes, he can keep whatever's left
lunaticcringeradio
next
December 4, 2007 - 00:17 ET by lunaticcringeradioi want him to make me a matini, stirred not shaken
lunaticcringeradio
luna... ROFL! For those
December 4, 2007 - 00:22 ET by bigtimerluna...
ROFL!
For those of you who don't know I am not being mean-spirited, that is just plain funny, my grandfather had Parkinson's and died from it and believe me, he would be laughing too.
hey i got a strong suspicion
December 4, 2007 - 00:33 ET by lunaticcringeradiomy ole lady says my hands shake when i can't tell it so i might get it in the future. oh well i'll deal with it then and quit my hobby of playing with the nitro glycerin.
on the other hand that could prove to be an advantage sexually.
if anything i will be qualified to be the attn gen, i mean if sasquatch could be attn gen, after all she really lowered the bar.
lunaticcringeradio
OMG
December 4, 2007 - 00:28 ET by candanceI tried really really hard not to laugh at that, but I couldn't help it.
My husband has a problem with shaky hands too and he'd think that was funny.
The most dangerous thing in the world is an angry person with political power.
I wonder how many of the
December 4, 2007 - 09:06 ET by KillgraveI wonder how many of the folks here taking delight in a dying man's pain, and equating him to nazis, consider themself a "christian".
Well, give us your estimate.
December 4, 2007 - 11:11 ET by Roger the ShrubberWell, give us your estimate. please. We are dying to know.
We all die, it is a fact.
December 4, 2007 - 11:28 ET by Dan The Man 2We all die, it is a fact. How we die is the difference and the legacy we die with. The Nazis thought exactly the same they sacrificed the few humans to advance the science, it is no different. Being a Christian does not mean we are perfect just forgiven.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
well said
December 4, 2007 - 13:36 ET by wizardjrcouldn't have said it better
Parkinson's is not fatal
December 4, 2007 - 11:31 ET by LionKingParkinson's may be a very dehabilitating disease, but it is not fatal in its own right.
Killgrave: Pope John Paul
December 4, 2007 - 14:00 ET by lotrKillgrave: Pope John Paul II, a devout Christian, also suffered with Parkinson's for many years. In spite of his suffering, he was unequivocal on what he called the instrinsic evil of exploiting human embryos for unethical and immoral "scientific research" (well meaning or not). One hundred years ago, during the era of Einstein, Schrodinger, Heisenberg, Bohr, et al., such "research" would have been unthinkable, except within the context of science fiction. While I do sympathize with MJF's suffering, he really ought to look to the Pope, a real man, for inspiration, and he should have the humility, especially in the face of his own mortality, to admit he was wrong about exploiting human embryos in the name of science.