Michael J. Fox should not be above
criticism for the controversial stem-stell research ad for Claire
McCaskill, but criticism should focus on the fact that he was being
misleading about the science and policy of stem cell research. I
think Rush Limbaugh went too far by saying, without any evidence,
that, "In this commercial, (Fox) is
exaggerating the effects of the disease. He is moving all around
and shaking. And it's purely an act." Even if you were to argue
that he didn't take his medication in advance of the ad (which we
don't know), that still means that his natural state is to shake,
and thus not "purely an act." I think one can acknowledge that
someone is truly suffering while still arguing against an expansion
of funding for stem cell research on moral grounds and questioning
the soundness of the science of stem cell research. And certainly,
on that front the ad is shameless by implying that Jim Talent is
standing in the way of Michael J. Fox and millions of Americans
getting cured.