Members of the Missouri House move to make sure a small portion of the Life Science Trust Fund goes toward adult stem cell research. About $3 million in the 2007 Fiscal Year would be designated to adult stem cell research, a sliver of the tobacco settlement funds that could grow over the years. The money would come from those tobacco companies that were not part of the original settlement. But Representative Bob Johnson (R-Lee’s Summit) questions the timing, pointing out that voters in November will decide whether Missouri can enact restrictions on stem cell research tougher than federal law. Sponsor Jim Lembke (R-St. Louis) worries that supporters of the initiative have painted opponents as opposed to all such research. Lembke says that’s not true, that opponents support adult stem cell research. Lembke opposes embryonic stem cell research, includingSomatic Cell Nuclear Transfer, known as SCNT. Lembke wants it banned in Missouri, because he believes it is the cloning of human life. The initiative would not allow the legislature to outlaw it. The people might have the final say. Approval of the constitutional amendment would likely make Lembke’s bill moot.Lembke’s bill is HB 1534.
