By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, Mo. – A Missouri appeals court has upheld the ballot language of a proposed constitutional amendment to protect stem cell research in the state.
Opponents had argued the summary was deceptive because the amendment itself would allow human cloning for research purposes. Supporters contend the ballot language accurately explains that the amendment would ban human cloning.
The dispute boils centers on whether a procedure called somatic cell nuclear transfer creates and destroys a human life, as opponents claim.
The transfer involves replacing the nucleus of an unfertilized egg with that of some other kind of cell, such as a skin cell.
The resulting egg is stimulated to divide, then the cells are harvested.
Supporters hope the new cells could lead to cures for many diseases.