Christian Science Monitor Examines Missouri Embryonic Stem Cell Research Ballot Measure's Effect On U.S. Senate Race

Main Category: Stem Cell Research
Also Included In: Women's Health / Gynecology
Article Date: 07 Nov 2006 - 6:00 PDT

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The Missouri ballot initiative on stem cell research "could affect voter turnout enough to tip" the Senate race between incumbent Sen. Jim Talent (R) and state Auditor Claire McCaskill (D), though "no one can predict with confidence which candidate would benefit most," the Christian Science Monitor reports (Clayton, Christian Science Montior, 11/3). The proposal, titled the Missouri Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative, would allow stem cell research that involves somatic cell nuclear transfer, which some consider a type of human cloning. Somatic cell nuclear transfer is conducted by inserting the genetic material from a patient's cell -- usually from a skin cell -- into an unfertilized egg from another person. The patient's genetic material incorporates into the egg and causes it to develop into an embryo that is a genetic match to the skin cell patient. McCaskill, who supports the measure, has said it would "enabl[e] Missouri doctors and researchers to be at the forefront of lifesaving research." Talent has said, "I personally cannot support the initiative because I've always been opposed to human cloning, and this measure would make cloning human life at the earliest stage a constitutional right" (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 10/19). According to the Monitor, the "advantage may in fact go to Talent," who is running to serve a second term, because the ballot initiative could bring to the polls the state's social conservatives who, while they are voting against the measure, also would be likely to cast a vote for him. David Kimball, a political scientist at the University of Missouri, said the McCaskill campaign "is banking on voter support for stem cell [research] to translate into support for her," adding, "But it may actually energize conservative voters. If that issue were not on the ballot, they might not have as much reason to come out and vote." A recent Research 2000 poll found that about 51% of state voters support the initiative, while 35% oppose it. A CNN/Opinion Research poll released on Monday found that 49% of likely voters support Talent and that 49% support McCaskill (Christian Science Monitor, 11/3).

NPR's "All Things Considered" on Thursday included an interview with Stephen Smith, professor of political science at Washington University-St. Louis, about the Missouri Senate race and ballot measure (Block, "All Things Considered," NPR, 11/2). Audio of the segment is available online. In addition, NPR's "Morning Edition" on Oct. 27 reported on the ballot measure. The segment includes comments from Mary Kay Culp, spokesperson for Missouri Right to Life; Peter Levi, president of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce; Bill Neaves, president and CEO of the Stowers Institute for Medical Research; and Missouri residents (Rovner, "Morning Edition," NPR, 10/27). A transcript and audio of the segment is available online.

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