Stem-cell plan opens Pandora's box

To the editor:

On Nov. 7 we will be asked to vote on a stem-cell research and cloning amendment that would change the Missouri Constitution. This amendment claims to ban cloning, but in fact it only bans the process of implanting an already cloned human embryo into a woman's womb with the intention of bringing it to a live birth.

With stem-cell nuclear transfer, a researcher removes 23 chromosomes from a donated egg and substitutes the 46 chromosomes of the individual to be cloned. The cloned embryo develops into a blastomere, which could either be used for research or could be implanted into a womb. It is the latter aspect that has been limited by the amendment, but the fertilized egg could be, and would be, experimented with up for up to 14 days.

James S. Cole, general counsel to Missouri Right to Life, in his article "The Stower Initiative -- It Is About More Than Cloning" points out that this amendment would nullify multiple sections of the Missouri Revised Statutes that protect the lives of extra in vitro-fertilized embryos and other unborn lives. This would allow research to take the lives of the unborn to obtain tissues and organs for transplants.

This is a deceptive proposal that plays on the emotions of all of us who have loved ones who suffer from diseases already benefited by adult stem cells. We are being asked to open a Pandora's box at the expense of taxpayers. I recommend voting no on this amendment.

Dr. RICHARD A. MARTIN, SEMO Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Cape Girardeau