Lansing (WWJ)  -- It'll be a bitter battle over embryonic stem cell research in Michigan as Election Day 2008 draws near.

Supporters who want to lift Michigan's 30-year ban on the controversial research say they have enough signatures to bring the issue to Michigan voters.  But WWJ Lansing Bureau Chief Tim Skubick said Thursday that both sides will be making strong arguments.

"This is a very emotional issue, there is no cloning language in this.  However, the Right to Life folks are going to say, basically, taking those embyos and doing research amounts to killing human life," said Skubick.

Skubick said opponents of embryonic stem cell research do consent to research involving adult stem cells, which is legal in Michigan.

Supporters think embyronic stem-cell research can save lives, said Skubick.  "We could be curing some diseases by doing this research."

The next step is for the Board of Canvassers to certify the signatures.  Skubick says petitioners will likely get their language on the ballot if they gather 500,000 to 550,000 valid signatures.