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the Stem Cell Page time and ignorance are the enemies |
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Stem Cell Research and the Missouri Election |
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By Claire McCaskill
Editor’s note: State Auditor Claire McCaskill is Missouri’s Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate. McCaskill worked her way through college and law school at the University of Missouri in Columbia. She clerked for the Missouri Court of Appeals in Kansas City and then served as an assistant prosecutor in Kansas City handling arson cases. In 1982, McCaskill won a seat in the State Legislature. Taking on responsibilities of both mother and legislator, she was the first woman to give birth while actively serving in the Missouri Legislature. Claire broke new ground again in 1993 when she became the first female Jackson County Prosecutor, a position she held until she was sworn in as Missouri Auditor in 1999. McCaskill has been an strong supporter of all varieties of stem cell research.
October 19, 2006
As we approach the upcoming election, I want to send a strong message to all Missouri voters: This November, we have the unique opportunity to vote for lifesaving treatments and cures and the future of stem cell research depends on your votes.
First, please vote for Amendment 2.
The Missouri Stem Cell Research and Cures initiative is supported by over one hundred medical societies, medical associations, medical schools, research institutions, patient advocacy groups and disease foundations. More than two thousand Missouri medical practitioners have also endorsed Amendment 2. And nearly 300,000 Missourians signed the petitions to place the issue on the Missouri ballot.
For the hope for cures, it is important that we pass this amendment which will allow stem cell research in Missouri within a legal and ethical framework. For over half a decade, we’ve watched as some Missouri legislators have not only attempted to ban some of the most promising types of stem cell research, but they’ve tried to enact criminal penalties to prevent citizens from having access to treatments.
As a former prosecutor, I readily recognize law created with ill intent. To make criminals of our researchers, doctors, nurses and patients, all seeking to erase the pain and suffering of disease and injury, is not what Missouri law should be about.
Should Missouri law establish ethical guidelines? Certainly. Should it establish mechanisms for reporting and public access? Of course. Should it ban human reproductive cloning? Absolutely. Should it protect the privacy of patients? Completely.
All of these details are fully addressed in Amendment 2. It is carefully and thoughtfully crafted to halt attempts to make Missouri researchers, doctors and patients second class.
Amendment 2 makes good sense politically, socially, medically and economically.
Second, seek out and vote for congressional candidates who support stem cell research.
I’m proud to say you’ll find the vast majority will be Democratic candidates. It’s fact… All Missouri’s Democratic Congressmen, Lacy Clay, Ike Skelton, Russ Carnahan and Emanuel Cleaver, all of them voted YES on HR810, which would have allowed for the expansion of stem cell research at the federal level. So, give stem cell friendly candidates your votes and encourage others to vote for them as well.
Third, help me build a stem cell “veto-proof” United States Senate.
We were all disappointed when President Bush used his only presidential veto to kill HR810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act. Another four YES votes is all that is needed to secure the senate’s super majority, the 67 votes needed to override his veto.
When the 110th Congress convenes in January, HR810 will be back. Who Missouri sends to the Senate will be a factor in its success or failure. Will HR810 lack the super majority to overcome another presidential veto? Frankly, the choice rests with you, the voters. Jim Talent voted against this important legislation. So, in the coming election, our Missouri senate race represents one-fourth of the seats necessary to make up that four vote difference. Missourians can count on me to vote YES on HR810.
As a senatorial candidate, I cannot overlook the overwhelming potential benefits to Missouri citizens both individually and as part of the larger community. I have traveled the state and spoken with many victims of insidious diseases and horrible injuries. For instance, many are diabetics. Unfortunately, there is no shortage of diabetics in Missouri, where our Department of Health and Senior Services estimates that over 278,000 children and adults in our state have diabetes. But researchers are optimistic that diabetes could be among the earliest diseases to be defeated by embryonic stem cell research.
You can make the difference. Get active and stay active. Become a campaign volunteer. Place signs in your yard. Write letters to the editor. Keep stem cell research at the top of your political discussions and work to improve awareness. Talk to your friends, your family and your neighbors. Email them regularly. Direct them to quality, informative web sites like the Stem Cell Page. Donate to candidates who, like you, are stem cell research advocates. I was proud to be selected as a ‘Stem Cell Champion’ by the Coalition of Stem Cell Research Supporters and you can donate to my campaign through their ActBlue web site. Just CLICK HERE to visit their site and scroll down until you see my photo.
We have less than three weeks left in this campaign season. There is so much at stake and, ultimately, the political future of stem cell research is in your hands.
I am a strong proponent of embryonic stem cell research and the treatments and cures it may bring. I respectfully ask for your votes to help these important endeavors move forward.
Sincerely,
Claire McCaskill
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Claire McCaskill Missouri Candidate for the U.S. Senate |
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I Support Embryonic Stem Cell Research |
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