By Marshall Griffin, KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – A Cole County judge has dismissed a lawsuit that would have blocked $21 million in state funding for life sciences research.
The group Missouri Roundtable for Life filed suit over concerns that the money could be used to fund stem cell research.
They had argued that the Life Sciences Research Trust Fund was created with the stipulation that none of its funds be used for stem cell research, human cloning, or abortion, and that the passage of Amendment Two by Missouri voters set up a conflict that threatened the trust fund's legal right to exist.
But Judge Richard Callahan ruled that there is no legal dispute threatening the fund's existence and dismissed the case.
Steve Clark, attorney for Missouri Roundtable for Life, says they'll likely appeal the ruling, but also says they may file separate lawsuits against any group that receives life sciences money from the state.