By Marshall Griffin, KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – Hundreds of stem cell research opponents rallied at the State Capitol today and lobbied lawmakers to allow another vote on the controversial issue. A constitutional amendment passed last year by Missouri voters allows stem cell research at state universities and other facilities.
Before sending them off to visit House and Senate members, Republican Senator Matt Bartle of Lee's Summit told the massive crowd of red-clad, anti-cloning advocates to treat their opponents with kindness,
"Honey attracts better than does gall...so as tempted as you may be when you run across somebody that disagrees with you, as tempted as you may be to give them a piece of your mind, let me challenge you not to do that."
A few supporters of stem cell research observed the rally, including Bob Pund of Columbia, who works with a pro-stem cell coalition and who's also a quadriplegic. He says he feels the organizers of the rally want to undo the vote of the people.