By KCUR/KWMU/AP
Kansas City, MO – In an extremely tight race, supporters of the stem cell ballot initiative, Amendment 2, came out with a 50-49% victory.
Sandra Aust, a spokesperson for the supporters of the measure, Missouri Coalition for Lifesaving Cures, says Missouri voters want their state to be able to pursue the same cures as the rest of the country.
"I think Missouri voters have said that they want to be treated fairly," Aust said. "They want to have the same access to cures and therapies that every other American has."
The ballot measure will allow researchers in Missouri to do federally approved stem cell research, including using embryonic stem cells.
Julia Warton, with the opposing Missourians Against Human Cloning, says voters just fell short of failing the measure: "We knew that it would be a very intense battle, down to the very last vote counted."
Supporters of the amendment say this victory will allow Missouri to move forward - without the fear of the legislature criminalizing embryonic stem cell research - in becoming a leader in developing cures for spinal cord injuries, Multiple Sclerosis, and other degenerative diseases.
Opponents had bemoaned what they interpreted as a legalization of human cloning in the state.
| General Election 2006 Statewide Ballot Questions | |||
| Question | Yes (%) | No (%) | |
| Amend. 2- stem cell research | 1,024,136 (50.7%) | 996,584 (49.3%) | |
| Amend. 3 - tobacco tax increase | 976,076 (48.3%) | 1,043,685 (51.7%) | |
| Amend. 6 - veterans' group property tax exempt | 1,183,011 (61%) | 742,547 (39%) | |
| Amend. 7 - state salary commission | 1,644,683 (84%) | 304,880 (16%) | |
| Prop B - minimum wage increase | 1,512,140 (76%) | 488,498 (24%) | |