Listen Live
St. Louis Public Radio News
(2007-10-22)
ST. LOUIS, MO.
(St. Louis Public Radio) -
Opponents of a stem cell research procedure say Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan is infringing on their free speech rights with misleading ballot language. Last year, Missouri voters narrowly approved a state constitutional amendment that protects all stem cell research allowed by federal law.
The measure allows a procedure called somatic cell nuclear transfer, but it bans scientists from implanting an embryo created that way into a woman's uterus.
Now a group called Cures without Cloning wants to change the definition of cloning to include the procedure creating the embryo, not just its implantation.
The group is pushing for its own ballot measure.
But attorney Eddie Greim says the language Carnahan approved is biased.
"I think all of us would love to see this out there just being debated by both sides," Greim said. "And if the government just would keep it's thumb off the scale, I think that will happen."
In a statement, Carnahan maintains the ballot language is fair.
Supporters of stem cell research are also suing the Missouri auditor's office. They say the financial summary should outline the proposal's costs.
© Copyright 2010, St. Louis Public Radio
