The uproar over stem-cell research continues to echo in Missouri. A proposed constitutional amendment that cleared a House health committee the other day would undo the protections for such research that had been put into place by a constitutional amendment last year. The plan should go no further.
Opponents argue that the procedure known as somatic cell nuclear transfer kills life at the earliest stage. But for life to begin, at least as we understand the process, an egg must be fertilized. No fertilized eggs are used.
Also, the 2006 amendment prohibits human cloning.
The procedure that critics want to outlaw uses an egg from a donor of a relative suffering from a specific life-threatening illness, such as cancer, or a spinal-cord injury. The nucleus of the egg would be destroyed and replaced with DNA from the patient and then allowed to grow. Resulting cells would be implanted in the patient with the hope of curing either the illness or regenerating spinal nerves.
The constitutional amendment proposed and approved last year ensures that research and investments in that research and facilities would not be easily short-circuited over the years by legislative foes.
Somatic cell nuclear transfer may or may not bring treatments and cures for some forms of cancer, for Parkinson’s, for nerve repairs or for a long list of terrible debilitating and deadly diseases. Supporters never claimed that it would. The truth is that no one knows. But for thousands of Missourians today and in the years ahead, somatic cell nuclear transfer is about the only glimmer of hope they have.
An economic byproduct of Missouri’s constitutional approval for this stem-cell research is that the state can expect to attract researchers and high-paying research jobs as well as new construction. That is a secondary consideration, but an important economic one.
The real benefit of somatic cell nuclear transfer for Missourians will come with the first cure or effective treatment from the research.
Opinion
In our view: Stop plan to dismantle protections
- Opinion
-
-
Our View: Victims should come first
Millions of dollars in donations have poured in from around the world since the May 22, 2011, tornado. Those donations represent money from lemonade stands, charity auctions, corporate gifts and celebrity checks, just to name a few. In fact, one year later donations continue to come to Joplin.
-
Beth Meeker, guest columnist: Same-sex marriage battle a quest for equal rights
I would like to take a moment to reply to guest columnist Anson Burlingame’s, “The Marriage Debate” (Globe, May 13).
-
Sunday Forum: 2012 graduation speakers key on tornado, mall school and president’s visit
Editor’s note: In addition to speeches by President Barack Obama and Gov. Jay Nixon, Joplin High School’s top students addressed graduates, faculty, parents and other guests packed into the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center on the Missouri Southern State University campus. Following are the text of those speeches.
-
Geoff Caldwell, guest columnist: Pack mentality takes truth as a casualty
President Obama’s Joplin graduation speech Monday showed that while there’s the political “right,” there’s also a very active “rabid” political right.
-
Your View: ‘Study’ can mean anything
A few evenings ago, I watched a television program on the science of marriage.
-
Our View: Support for museum
How can you tell the story of Joplin without the accounts of its mining history?
-
Our View: Finding middle ground
The G-8 summit held last week in Camp David ended as expected.
-
Anson Burlingame, guest columnist: Class of 2012 upholds character, hope
My oldest granddaughter was part of the class of 2012 from Joplin High School, and I attended the ceremony on Monday night.
-
Scott Charton, guest columnist: 'Deadline in Disaster' film a story about storytellers
Local newspapers are at their best when they help their communities confront, understand, endure and overcome shared challenges.
-
Our View: Make voting easiser
This year’s ballot will not include a proposed constitutional amendment that photo identification be required at the polls in Missouri. Good.
- More Opinion Headlines
-
Our View: Victims should come first
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
