By Frank Morris, KCUR
St. Louis – Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Claire McCaskill Tuesday staked out what she says will be a central issue in her campaign.
She's backing a proposed state constitutional amendment in Missouri that would protect scientists who do research on embryonic stem cells.
McCaskill says she stands in stark contrast to Senator Jim Talent. The incumbent Republican is sponsoring federal anti-cloning legislation.
"You have an initiative in Missouri that makes sure this stays legal, and you have a an initiative sponsored by Senator Talent that will send these scientists to prison for up to 10 years and fine them a million dollars at a minimum," McCaskill said.
McCaskill said the type of research protected under the state amendment involves cells that exist only in the laboratory.
She adds that the measure expressly prohibits human cloning.
In a statement, Talent says he has always been opposed to human cloning but supports stem cell research