Attorneys representing the group Cures Without Cloning in its legal challenge to Secretary of State Robin Carnahan’s wording of the group’s petition initiative to ban certain forms of stem cell research explain their actions.

Attorney Eddie Greim says part of the challenge is being made under Missouri’s constitution, with the claim that the wording summary does not adequately and competently summarize what the initiative does – ban forms of stem cell research the plaintiffs consider human cloning. He adds Secretary’s statement is unfair because it patently reflects her "bias and prejudice against the Cures Without Cloning Amendment."

Greim says this is a case of a state official using the authority of the office to violate the constitutional rights of citizens. A statement from the Secretary of State’s Office says the summary wording is "fair, accurate, and reflects how the constitution would be changed by this initiative if it got on the ballot and was passed."

Download/Listen: Steve Walsh report (:60 MP3)

A group involved in last year’s effort to defeat a Constitutional amendment involving stem cell research is making known its feelings over the wording of an initiative proposal to limit certain forms of that research. Jaci Winship of Missourians Against Human Cloning says the final wording on the ballot question proposed by the group Cures Without Cloning is misleading and confusing, and she blames Secretary of State Robin Carnahan for that.

"She has a long history of abusing her office by writing politically-motivated, inaccurate and grossly misleading ballot questions," says Winship. "However," continues Winship, "The ballot question she recently certified for the Missouri Cures Against Cloning initiative, goes beyond anything she has ever done before. This reaches a new low."

Winship also accuses Carnahan of selling herself for $25,000 – the amount of contribution dollars received from what Winship calls a "pro-human cloning group."

Ryan Hobart with the Secretary of State’s office flatly rejects any suggestion Carnahan has been "bought." "That is a false statement," says Hobart. "Our obligation is to Missouri voters, not to one interest group or another."

The Secretary of State’s Office has released a statement reiterating its position regarding elections and ballot initiatives. It reads: "It is our legal obligation to make sure that Missouri voters always have a fair, accurate, and concise summary of what they are voting on – regardless of the issue. The summary statement for the petition to limit stem cell research is fair, accurate, and reflects how the constitution would be changed by this initiative if it got on the ballot and was passed."

The petition sponsor, Cures Without Cloning, has until Monday to decide whether to launch legal action challenging the wording. It would do so in Cole County Circuit Court in Jefferson City.

Download/Listen: Jaci Winship of Missourians Against Human Cloning (:27 MP3)
Download/Listen: Ryan Hobart of Secretary of State’s Office (:09 MP3)