SJR 30 - This proposed constitutional amendment, if approved by the voters, will ensure that Missouri patients have access to stem cell therapies and cures, researchers will be able to conduct stem cell research in this state, and all such research is conducted safely and ethically. Upon passage of this amendment, no person will be able to clone or attempt to clone a human being, produce a human blastocyst by fertilization solely for stem cell research, or take stem cells from a human blastocyst more than 14 days after cell division begins. Also, no person may purchase or sell human blastocysts or eggs for stem cell research; instead, the blastocysts or eggs must be voluntarily donated.
This proposed amendment requires that human embryonic stem cell research be conducted by people who have given oversight responsibility and approval authority for such research to a committee, adopted ethical standards for such research, and obtained a determination from an Institutional Review Board that the research complies with all federal statutes and regulations.
Stem cell research must be conducted in accordance with state and local laws as long as they do not restrict the research or create disincentives for those who wish to engage in it.
Any person who knowingly and willfully violates these provisions shall be subject to imprisonment and criminal fines. A civil action may also be brought against any person who knowingly and willfully violates these provisions.
This proposed amendment requires institutions, entities, or other people conducting human embryonic stem cell research to prepare an annual report stating the nature and purpose of their research and certifying that it is conducted in compliance with the Missouri Constitution. The reports must be made available to the public. A civil action may be brought against an entity or person who fails to make such a report available.
To ensure that no governmental body restricts stem cell research, no state or local government shall eliminate, reduce, deny, or withhold public funds for non-stem cell related activities to a person who lawfully conducts stem cell research and is otherwise eligible to receive such funding.
Under this proposed amendment, "stem cell research" includes any scientific or medical research involving stem cells. Stem cells are cells that can be divided multiple times and give rise to specialized cells in the body, and includes adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells.
SUSAN HENDERSON MOORE