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Home > Archive > Hepatitis disease > February 2006 > Stem-Cell Research Divides GOP in Missouri
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Stem-Cell Research Divides GOP in Missouri
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| http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/...5597042,00.html
By SAM HANANEL
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) - The split between social conservatives and moderate
Republicans over embryonic stem cells could undermine the re-election chances of
a Missouri Republican senator who favors long prison terms for those who conduct
some types of research.
A coalition of business leaders and medical research institutions is gathering
support for a Nov. 7 ballot initiative that would amend the Missouri
constitution to safeguard stem cell research and treatments in the state.
Sen. Jim Talent, who faces a strong challenge in November from Democratic state
auditor Claire McCaskill, has declined to take a stand on the measure. But he
has co-sponsored a Senate bill to ban embryonic stem cell research and impose a
million-dollar fine and 10-year jail sentence on violators.
``If Talent comes out in favor of stem cell research, he loses support from the
evangelicals,'' said Max Skidmore, professor of political science at University
of Missouri-Kansas City. ``If he opposes it, he'll lose support from the
business community that otherwise might support him.''
The issue has divided Republicans, pitting former first lady Nancy Reagan
against President Bush and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., against
religious conservatives.
Reagan and others argue that the research offers scientific promise that could
cure diseases such as Alzheimer's that her late husband, former President
Reagan, suffered from for years. Anti-abortion conservatives contend that the
research destroys days-old fertilized embryos and amounts to the taking of human
life.
Frist angered conservatives last year when he reversed course to support
expanded government-funded research on embryonic stem cells. In August 2001,
Bush imposed restrictions on public funding for newly developed embryonic stem
cell lines.
Talent says he'll make a decision after voters decide whether they want the
issue on the ballot. A massive signature campaign is under way.
``I'm opposed to cloning, but I support stem cell research,'' Talent told The
Associated Press in a recent interview. ``The technology is changing all the
time and so I'm always considering whether there is a better way to strike the
balance.''
That answer fails to address the major issue in the debate: whether to allow
scientists in Missouri to conduct somatic cell nuclear transfer, also known as
therapeutic cloning. Anti-abortion groups claim the procedure destroys human
life because researchers grow cells using the altered nucleus of a human egg.
Democrats have hammered Talent over the issue for months, saying he's not bold
enough to stand up to either his campaign donors or his political base.
The business and medical community, which has rallied around the measure, wants
to protect the state's largest medical research institutions from repeated
efforts in the state legislature to criminalize stem cell research.
The Stowers Institute for Medical Research in Kansas City, for example, has had
to turn away researchers and delay plans for a major expansion. Officials are
concerned scientists might one day face criminal charges for pursuing stem cell
research, said William Neaves, president and chief executive officer at Stowers.
Some of Missouri's most influential Republicans have lined up to back the
effort, including former Sen. John Danforth, who appears in TV commercials
supporting the ballot measure. Danforth has complained about the Christian right
taking over the GOP.
Democrat McCaskill turned up the heat this month when she came out strongly in
favor of the ballot initiative.
Talent may face pressure to modify his views in light of polls showing Missouri
voters favor the ballot initiative by a 2-to-1 margin. Recent polls also show
him and McCaskill in a dead heat.
If he moderates his views, however, he faces the wrath of his longtime boosters
in the anti-abortion community who strongly oppose the measure.
``If he doesn't take a clear position on the pro-life side, it's going to hurt
him, no question about it,'' said Sam Lee, director of Campaign Life Missouri.
``People are just not going to work for him.''
Lee and other anti-abortion activists say killing the stem-cell initiative is
more important to them than re-electing Talent.
``This issue has been very divisive in the Republican Party,'' said Pam Fichter,
president of Missouri Right to Life. ``You can't help but extrapolate that and
say it would hurt the Republican ticket at all levels.''
While many Republicans in the business community are rallying behind the ballot
measure, not all believe it will have a negative effect on Talent.
St. Louis businessman Sam Fox, an influential GOP contributor, said Republicans
like him who back stem-cell research still support Talent.
``The Republican Party is a big tent, and you have many different views and not
everyone shares the same view,'' he said.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/...5597042,00.html
Alan
"Can't you see we're still here,
Can't you see we're still here,
Singing loud; Singing clear,
We shall not go under,
We're still here."
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| In article <memo.20060206125029.1144w@veloceraptor.free-online.co.uk>,
alan@veloceraptor.free-online.co.uk (Alan) wrote:
> http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/...5597042,00.html
>
> By SAM HANANEL
>
> Associated Press Writer
>
> WASHINGTON (AP) - The split between social conservatives and moderate
> Republicans over embryonic stem cells could undermine the re-election chances
> of a Missouri Republican senator who favors long prison terms for those who
> conduct some types of research.
For once in my life I've got something to say
I wanna say it now
for now is today
A love has been given
so why not enjoy
So let's all grab
and let's all enjoy
If the kids
are united
then we'll never
be divided
(x2)
Just take a look around you
What do you see
Kids with feelings
like you and me
Understand him,
he'll understand you
For you are him,
and he is you
If the kids
are united
then we'll never
be divided
(X4)
I don't want to be rejected
I don't want to be denied
Then its not my misfortune
That I've opened up your eyes
Freedom is given
Speak how you feel
I have no freedom
How do you feel
They can lie to my face
But not to my heart
If we all stand together
It will just be the start
Sham 69 - Kids Are United
Lord Cerne Abbas
We shall go on to the end, we shall defend our World, whatever the cost may be,
we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall
fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall
never surrender, and even if this World, or a large part of it were subjugated
and starving, then we would carry on the struggle, until, in God's good time,
the New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue
and the liberation of the old."
To rebel is right, to disobey is a duty, to act is necessary !
http://www.veloceraptor.free-online.co.uk/identity.html
http://www.veloceraptor.free-online.co.uk/mylinks.html
http://lordcerneabbas.blogspot.com/
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