MICHAEL J FOX and MARY TYLER MOORE pleaded with American law makers yesterday afternoon (14SEP00) to release federal funding to allow research on stem cells from human embryos.

The celebrities hope the vital research may help find a cause for their diseases - Fox is suffering from Parkinsons while Tyler Moore suffers from juvenile diabetes, which has damaged her sight.

The controversial research involves using human embryos - something some critics say is immoral.

There is currently a congressional ban on any research which leads to the destruction of human embryos.

But the BACK TO THE FUTURE star pleaded with lawmakers, "I see a chance for a medical miracle. The Government has done it's work. We ask you now to release our tax dollars so the scientists can do theirs."

Tyler Moore says, "We're dealing with flesh and blood people now who feel pain, who feel fear, who feel debilitation. Our obligation is to people who are here."

(SVD/WNV/CPT)

Source: WENN