Senators begin debate on anti-human cloning legislation

April 6, 2005
By: Andrea Ramey
State Capital Bureau

Stem cell debate takes center stage in the state Senate.

Andrea Ramey has more from the state Capitol...

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It was the first day of debate on the Senate floor concerning stem cell research.

The bill would make it illegal to clone a human being.

Senators spent much of their time debating what constitutes a human being.

Republican Senator Matt Bartle, who sponsored the bill, says the legislation is needed in order to save unborn lives.

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Contents: "If you have any question in your mind about whether this is in fact a human embryo, if there is any doubt in your mind, shouldn't we resolve it in favor of life."

Republican Senator Chris Koster spoke against bill.

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Contents: "But not one time in the eight hours of testimony did any witness in support of the bill explain the elements that made the blastocysts a human being such that it demanded the protection of the police power in the state of Missouri."

From the state Capitol, I'm Andrea Ramey

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Missouri senators start floor debates on anti-human cloning legislation.

Andrea Ramey has more from the state Capitol...

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Republican Senator Matt Bartle made a plea to fellow senators to pass his bill.

He says a vote for this bill is not a vote against curing diseases.

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Contents: "That is a false choice..."

The bill would outlaw human cloning.

Republican Senator Chris Koster spoke against the bill.

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Contents: "...then to err on the side of life means to embrace the extrodianary hope expressed by so many who testified before our committee, that they may see again, that their bodies might stop shaking, that they may stand up from their chairs and walk, and that their children may die from different diseases than their parents."

If passed, the bill would make it a felony to participate or attempt to clone a human being.

From the state Capitol, I'm Andrea Ramey

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