Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Connor: Stem Cell Gap Will Close

Missouri State University political science professor George Connor says public opinion on a constitutional amendment to protect various forms of stem cell research will be closely divided by time the November election rolls around.

A poll conducted by the St. Louis Post Dispatch in January found that 64% of Missourians believe the state should pursue all forms of stem cell research approved under federal law, including embryonic research.

But Connor predicts that gap will narrow once opponents gear up against the amendment this fall. "It's 60-40 right now, but it will be at least 50-50 by November, if not going the other way," Connor says.

"The conventional wisdom that the stem cell initiative will help Claire McCaskill and Democrats is overoptimistic. The opposition hasn't even kicked in yet," Connor says.

Connor believes once the Missourians Against Human Cloning begin aggressively making their case to the public, opinion will begin to even out.

"The gay marriage issue here was 70-30 against. That same group of people, in large part, will come together to work against stem cells," Connor says.

That campaign against embryonic stem cell research is already ramping up right here in the Ozarks.

This past Sunday, Dr. Cara Brown gave a presentation on the science of stem cells, cloning and Amendment 2 at the Harvest Community Church in Rogersville, Mo.

6 comments:

Rev Chris M Fluharty said...

The pro death crowd has all the money and all the ad's right now. Pro life groups will come back after these rallies get the base educated. The ad's are so mis-leading that the base for the most part believe the coalition's lies. When the lies are uncovered as the radio ad's for the [pro life crowd are doing now, Dr Connor will be shown correct.

Betty B. said...

You will never persuade me that Jim Talent is really against stem cell research. He is just pretending to be against it, to mobilize the anti-abortion, anti-birth control, anti sex education crowd. If he or one of his family members could benefit from medical treatment developed from stem cell research, do you think he would turn it down? I think not.

Talent knows he needs the votes of the rabid religious right to win, so he, like most republicans, goes along with whatever agenda will get them to the polls.

Rev Chris M Fluharty said...

Then inform us Mr. Norris. I sat through hours upon hours of testimony by doctors, experts, professors on Stem Cell research when I was a staffer in Jeff City. There is no way you can say that SCNT in NOT cloning. If you believe that then I have ocean front property I want to sell you. Pro lifers are not against adult stem cell research as the ad's may lead you to believe. Sen. Bartle wanted to end SCNT nothing more. The Stowers family has threw $$$ to make you believe that they (legislators) are anti research. That is a lie. You can keep the morals out of it and still not vote for this amendment. It is misleading and not needed in our constitution. It is "stupid" to believe that embyronic stem cells will ever produce a cure Mr. Norris. If there was even an ounce of promise private industry besides stowers would have been all over it years ago. I suggest you stop swallowing the lies of a false hope and actually read the facts written on the wall. A vote for this amendment is a vote for cloning and when they need more money they will come knocking on the taxpayers door and we'll be paying for their frankenstein science.

Rev Chris M Fluharty said...

Yes Mr. Norris according to the scale I am a genius. But I still have to read to learn something which you seem unwilling to do. Tell me how SCNT is not cloning? I think you are so anti-God that you allow your emotions to cloud simple judgement. Even the science is against you. Not to mention the morality of it all. However, I'd be happy to debate the science as well. The only spining taking place are the gears in your mind.

Rev Chris M Fluharty said...

I have cancer and I would refuse any treatment that came from SCNT stem cell research. As for self-professioning anything I just stated according to the scale I was. Just because I took and IQ test does not mean I am professing anything. I do not put much water in psych testing.

I asked if you were anti-God I did not say you were. Next time I will use a question mark so you know the difference. If I said you were I would not have said "think" However, based on your stance on this issue I do not know how you can claim to serve Him and in the same breathe blaspheme Him with such ignorance. You are either for Him or against Him. Maybe if your youth pastor would have paid attention at CBC he'd know that and told you.

You have yet to prove it is not cloning. Just saying it isn't does not make it so. It is your burden to prove since you are the one calling me the liar. Why would so many doctors and researchers say it is at a General Assembly hearing? Anyone with a grade school science education knows that if that baby in the petri dish were put in the correct enviorment (the womb)it would grow to be a person in this "society" The womb does not make it a person. God said before you were in the womb I knew you. SO you my friend are the one misinformed. When you finally decide to educate yourself rather than spewing Missouri Cures talking points, come back and have a civilized discussion. SCNT is Cloning!

Rev Chris M Fluharty said...

Journeyer417- Majority of researchers are not medical doctors they are biologist chemist, etc. Not MD's So your statement lacks credibilty. However, when a doctor who has made an oath to save lives partially delievers a baby and then implodes it's skull in the name of choice they are no doctor. When a lab combines cells and creates the start of life then kills it to extract cells for a possible cure, they are certainly not pro life. While I did not intend it to be a blanket statement, I stand by my words. This vote is all about life.