Actor Fox sparks debate, support for stem cells
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Posted on Nov 21, 2006, 6 a.m.
By Bill Freeman
Actor Michael J. Fox on Thursday defended political ads he filmed for candidates who support stem cell research ahead of tight congressional elections, saying he did not want to be pitied because he suffers from Parkinson's disease. Stark campaign ads in which Fox's body jerked uncontrollably were criticized by conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh, who accused Fox of acting or deliberately not taking his medication.
Actor Michael J. Fox on Thursday defended political ads he filmed for candidates who support stem cell research ahead of tight congressional elections, saying he did not want to be pitied because he suffers from Parkinson's disease.Stark campaign ads in which Fox's body jerked uncontrollably were criticized by conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh, who accused Fox of acting or deliberately not taking his medication.
Fox responded to Limbaugh in an interview with CBS, saying: "He used the word victim and on another occasion used the word pitiable. Understand that nobody in this position wants pity.
"We don't want pity. I could give a damn about Rush Limbaugh's pity or anyone else's pity. I'm not a victim," said Fox, who twitched and rocked throughout the interview.
The 45-year-old actor, best known for his roles in "Back to the Future" films and "Family Ties" sitcom, dismissed the claim that he exaggerated his symptoms.
"The notion that you could calculate for effect ... People out there with Parkinson's are going, would that we could."
Fox, who was diagnosed with the debilitating disease in 1991, said the tremors could result from a lack of, or too much of, the medication many Parkinson's sufferers take to allow them greater mobility.
In the run-up to the November 7 elections, Fox taped ads for Democratic U.S. Senate candidates Claire McCaskill of Missouri and Benjamin Cardin of Maryland, as well as Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle, all of whom back stem cell research. Fox is appearing across the country with other candidates.
The races are among the most closely watched in next month's election as Democrats try to take the congressional majority from Republicans.
President George W. Bush has limited federal funding for research on embryonic stem cells and issued his first-ever veto against legislation to expand it.
Fox told CBS he hoped that the ads would get the nation talking about stem cells prior to election day, "and we are, and I'm completely gratified."
"If bringing the message means the messenger gets roughed up a bit, I'm happy to be that guy," Fox said.
A poll released late on Wednesday showed that U.S. voters' support for stem cell research jumped 5 percentage points after they viewed Fox's television ads.
The national poll by HCD Research and Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion surveyed 955 people on Tuesday and Wednesday and found support for stem cell research at 83 percent after viewing the ad, up from 78 percent previously.
Missouri voters will decide whether to amend the state constitution to protect embryonic stem-cell research and treatments from legislative restrictions, as long as they are permitted under federal law.
Opponents of the measure include the Roman Catholic Church and anti-abortion groups who say it immorally encourages human cloning as well as the unnecessary destruction of life.
