Missouri Citizens Duped into Permitting Human Cloning

By John-Henry Westen
LifeSite.net
Nov. 09, 2006

KANSAS CITY, November 8, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) - A deceptive campaign funded with tens of millions of dollars by a company which stands to profit from the measure has succeeded in having Amendment 2 passed. The measure permits embryonic stem cell research and human cloning to be conducted in the state.

Efforts by pro-life activists in Missouri to disabuse the public of the false information proved narrowly unsuccessful as the Amendment passed 51-49%. The approval makes Missouri the second state after New Jersey to approve human cloning by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT).

The public was moved to support the legislation by an emotional appeal in favour of the measure and the supportive Senate candidate Claire McCaskill by Hollywood star Michael J. Fox. A pro-life ad in response featured Passion of the Christ star Jim Caviezel.

McCaskill defeated Republican incumbent Jim Talent.

The Rev. Thomas J. Euteneuer, STL, president of Human Life International (HLI) commented on the development. "We are saddened by the passage of Amendment 2 and recognize that it only passed because this proposal was carefully crafted by the powerful bio-tech lobby's lawyers to purposely be misleading and confusing," he said.

Proponents of the legislation denied that the bill permitted human cloning.

"Jim Stowers personally poured millions of dollars into this effort to abuse the good will of Missouri voters who were told a vote for this amendment would've actually banned cloning. Stowers' motives were pursuit of power, profit and a blatant disregard for the life, health and well-being of women. This is absolutely disgraceful," said Fr. Eureneuer.