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Backers of an initiative petition that would amend the constitution to include the protection of early stem cell research turned in more than 288 thousand signatures Monday. That's far more than the roughly 150 thousand signatures needed to get the issue on the November ballot. U-S Senator Jim Talent, a Republican announced his opposition to the proposal. Until Monday, he had refused to state his position. His likely democratic opponent, Missouri Auditor Claire McCaskill indicated her support for the proposal some time ago. KSMU's Missy Shelton is in Jefferson City and got reaction from state lawmakers to the petition being turned in to the Secretary of State office.
Lawmakers are divided on the initiative petition that would ensure early stem cell research can proceed in Missouri.
Some, like Republican Representative Jim Lembke of St Louis County say the proposal would allow the destruction of human life.
But other lawmakers, like Republican Representative Rob Schaaf of St Joseph have a different perspective.
Schaaf is a family physician.
For those who oppose the kind of research known as Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer or SCNT, the possibility of cures doesn't make them comfortable with the process scientists use in this research.
Republican Representative Jim Lembke says it's a basic moral question.
Those who support SCNT say it doesn't do harm.
Republican Representative Rob Schaaf says SCNT does not result in the implantation of an embryo in a uterus.
Schaaf says the opponents of the initiative petition must be consistent.
He says there are other procedures that result in embryo destruction yet lawmakers are not calling for a ban on those procedures.
But opponents say voters should not extend a special protection in the constitution to a procedure that they say is morally wrong and not scientifically sound.
Republican Representative Jim Lembke says he hopes voters will get educated on the issue.
Before the question of protecting SCNT or early stem cell research can go on the ballot, election officials will have to verify the signatures on the initiative petition.
