So, I noticed today on Facebook that there are a few groups with titles like: “Missourians Against Human Cloning (Vote NO on Amendment 2)” and “Say “No” to the Missouri Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative.” For those that don’t know, here’s the actual wording from the Amendment regarding cloning:
2(1) No person may clone or attempt to clone a human being.
38(d).6.(2) ‘Clone or attempt to clone a human being’ means to implant in a uterus or attempt to implant in a uterus anything other than the product of fertilization of an egg of a human female by a sperm of a human male for the purpose of initiating a pregnancy that could result in the creation of a human fetus, or the birth of a human being.
For some reason beyond my comprehension, there are actually people in the state that somehow thinks this provides a constitutional means of protecting human cloning. No, really…you read it correctly…it completely abolishes the idea of human cloning. Why? Because in order for you to clone a person, you need to implant the embryo into a uterus for development. Does that also disallow somatic transfer (i.e. transfer of DNA from one cell to another). Yes. Because you have to implant it in a uterus. You cannot “grow” a human (or any other mammal) outside of a uterus.
So, if someone could please explain to me how people are seeing this as “constitutional protection” for human cloning, I’d be very happy to hear it…’cause it makes no sense to me. There are over 900 members in these two groups on Facebook, and it’s beyond me as to why this is so confusing. And they keep re-quoting the wording from the Amendment…like that’s some kind of defense. They only re-quote it because they don’t understand what it says and hope you won’t either.
One of the other arguments against it is that, with passing Amendment 2, you’ll target “underpriviledged women” so that they can sell their eggs for research purposes. Hmmm…let’s see…is that mentioned and outlawed?
2(4) No person may, for valuable consideration, purchase or sell human blastocysts or eggs for stem cell research or stem cell therapies and cures.
Yes, yes it’s outlawed! Oh, and even the following:
2(2) No human blastocyst may be produced by fertilization solely for the purpose of stem cell research.
So, let’s review: Missouri Constitutional Amendment 2 strictly outlaws cloning. Amendment 2 does not allow cloning. If you say that Amendment 2 allows human cloning, or provides a market for the sale of human embryos, you are lying.
It’s that simple.
Here’s more information on all the ballot measures we’ll be faced with on November 7th.
Honey, honey, honey! The problem is called fear. The religious folks out there are terrified of the risk that “guys like you” are messing with what is meant to be a God-thing – CREATION of life. The thing is that “guys like you” (who are knowledgable in the scientific realm of all this and are ethical and very much faith-based) need to maintain your self-control and not get so worked up towards the folks who are scared. The religious right conservatives prey upon those fears, with half-truths or flat out lies. And “guys like you” need to remain calm, factual, and simply help everyone understand the realities of the issues before us. As I read this, I could hear your voice rising!! It’s gonna be okay!! And I’m proud of you for your focus and interest in your field of study.
luv u 🙂
science?
blasphemy!
Stop Cloning!