Stem-cell research

The (Independence) Examiner

It appears legislation to ban embryonic stem-cell research in Missouri won't go any further this year.

Senate leaders say the bill won't be brought up for further discussion until supporters and opponents can find a compromise. That's unlikely. The two sides are far apart, and because the issues involve such fundamental questions as what constitutes life itself, there's not a lot of room for give and take.

State Sen. Matt Bartle, a Republican from Lee's Summit, has doggedly led the effort to ban this type of research. While the effort to ban human cloning is commendable -- and just about everyone agrees that shouldn't be allowed -- Bartle's bill goes too far in banning a type of embryonic stem-cell research, somatic cell nuclear transfer.

The biggest point is that this research has the potential to develop procedures to greatly reduce suffering from a range of diseases and afflictions. It's needed so people can heal and live better lives.

Secondarily, Missouri has a big stake in this. State leaders have talked for years about the importance of biotechnology to the future of our economy. Kansas City's Stowers Institute for Medical Research plans a major expansion but won't follow through if the state bans SCNT. State leaders will face more of these issues in the future, and we shouldn't let financial interest determine what's right and wrong, but this type of research is valuable and falls within boundaries marked by a respect for human life.

For now, Senate leaders have solved the political problem this bill creates. Gov. Blunt opposes human cloning but specifically does not want to ban somatic cell nuclear transfer, and Republican leaders in the General Assembly are keen on avoiding the ticklish situation of a Republican governor having to veto a bill passed by a Republican legislature.

The bigger question is whether Stowers and other organizations will feel free to proceed as long as this is hanging over their heads. It would be best to have a straight up-or-down vote and get this resolved.