Coalition To Protect Stem Cell Research

A coalition of researchers and patient groups wants to protect stem cell research and treatment in Missouri, where anti-abortion activists have tried to outlaw a particular form of the research.

The proposal for November 2006 would permit stem cell research, therapies and cures allowed under federal law in Missouri and would ensure that debate at the Capitol would continue to rage through next year's elections.

Republican Gov. Matt Blunt is supporting the initative but the state's largest anti-abortion groups denounced it. The debate is on a stem cell research known as somatic cell nuclear transfer, in which the nucleus of an unfertilized egg is replaced with the nucleus of a cell from another body part and the altered egg is stimulated to grow, and then the resulting stem cells are harvested.

Stem cells can develop into any type of human tissue and researchers hope they can lead to cures for ailments such as diabetes, Parkinson's disease, cancer and spinal cord injuries. Opponents contend the procedure destroys human life.

The Missouri Coalition for Lifesaving Cures is fighting legislative efforts wich ban somatic cell nuclear transfer, also known as "therapeutic cloning." The bill didn't reach any vote in the Senate but its sponsor has pledged to make another attempt next year and that made the coalition mount its own offensive.

Coalition chairman Donn Rubin said that "opponents want to criminalize some of the most promising types of stem cell research. We believe that a constitutional amendment is necessary to protect Missouri's patients." The initiative, which would require from 139,181 to 151,619 signatures before it goes to the ballot, is believed to be the first of its kind nationwide and it could help fuel a national movement to protect stem cell research through state constitutional amendments.

Connecticut, Illinois and New Jersey have taken steps to provide public funding for the research without going to the ballot and Californians approved a constitutional amendment last year that will provide $3 billion for embryonic stem cell research. Now the Missouri proposal prohibits state and local governments from denying money to those who do the research.

The coalition includes the founders of the Stowers Institute for Medical Research in Kansas City, medical professionals from the University of Missouri and Washington University, and former U.S. Sens. John Danforth and Thomas Eagleton and associations that fight specific diseases, such as the American Diabetes Association and the Parkinson's Action Network.

One of the biggest opponents of therapeutic cloning is Missouri Right to Life, which vowed Tuesday to continue pushing for a ban in the Legislature and predicted voters would defeat the amendment. Missouri Right to Life Lobbyist Susan Klein stated that "The biotech industry is seeking to minimize human life for economic purposes and they're trying to redefine when life begins."

The Missouri Catholic Conference said adult stem cell research - supported by the anti-abortion lobby - has led to 65 treatments for such things as Parkinson's disease, heart damage and sickle cell anemia and Larry Weber, executive director of the Missouri Catholic Conference notes that "Missouri voters are being sold a pig in a poke by folks who can't get their money elsewhere."

Both groups oppose human cloning though; the amendment includes a 15-year prison sentence and $250,000 fine for anyone who attempts to clone a human being, which it defines as implanting an embryo not created by sperm and an egg into a woman's uterus. The amendment also prevents stem cells from being harvested more than 14 days after cell division.

The issue has divided Missouri's self-described "pro-life" politicians even: Blunt supports cell nuclear transfer - believing it doesn't create human life - although he generally aligns with Missouri Right to Life on abortion issues and Danforth also trumpeted his "pro-life" credentials while backing the amendment. "During my entire career, I voted pro-life," Danforth said in a statement. "I strongly support the Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative because it will save lives and because it respects the sanctity of life."

"The governor is supportive of this petition. He believes this is a step forward in banning human cloning and protecting responsible research," Blunt spokesman Spence Jackson stated.

Initiative proposed to protect stem cell research