Michael J. Fox Talks Stem Cell Advances

The word “inspiration” can certainly be applied to Michael J. Fox. The actor has been battling Parkinson’s disease for 16 years.

Access Hollywood’s Maria Menounos met up with Michael in New York, where he revealed what the latest stem cell advances mean for him.

“Scientists have now found a way to reprogram ordinary cells to mimic the same actions of an embryonic stem cell. Tell me what that does to Parkinson’s and how exciting that was for you,” Maria asked.

“Well, any of these breakthroughs are fantastic and this was thrilling,” Michael said. “I think we want to be careful though to know that there’s still a lot of work to do, in terms of, if you want them to work correctly.”

The headlines read “Stem Cell Methodology Made Safer,” “Scientists Bypass Need For Embryo To Get Stem Cells,” seemingly removing the ethical dilemma that right to life people imposed. And while excited by the news, Michael remains cautious.

“We don’t want to say, ‘Well great! This is not as controversial, so we’ll just stop everything,’” he said. “We want to keep everything moving forward.”

Looking strong, Michael took to the stage for a guitar jamming session at a gala benefiting his foundation for Parkinson’s research.

On Monday night, they raised nearly $6 million, that’s over $100 million to date, for Parkinson’s research.

Even with his constant body tremors, a side effect of his Parkinson meds, Fox was awesome, rocking to the very appropriate no cure for the “Summertime Blues.”

“Farrah Fawcett apparently is going over to Germany to get some kind of stem cell treatment. Would you ever consider that?” Maria asked Michael.

“You know, I doubt it. My focus is on the broader issue. I’m interested in finding advances for everyone in general,” he said. “I don’t feel necessarily that I’m under a lot of pressure to change my life. I have drugs that they can help me deal with symptoms. My biggest problem is the side effects from the drugs, but I don’t feel this is a personal mission.”

“It’s a great mission,” Maria said.

“Yeah,” Michael replied. “It’s bigger.”

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