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Missouri AFL-CIO Endorses Amendment 2 Missouri Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative

Posted on: Wednesday, 20 September 2006, 15:01 CDT

ST. LOUIS, Sept. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- The Missouri AFL-CIO, representing over 350,000 workers and retirees, today announced its endorsement of Amendment 2, the Missouri Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative, on the November statewide ballot. The endorsement of YES on 2 was approved overwhelmingly at the Missouri AFL-CIO convention this morning.

Passage of Amendment 2 ensures that all Missourians will have access to any federally approved stem cell cures that are available to other Americans. It ensures that Missouri medical institutions and research facilities can provide and help find new stem cell cures. And, it establishes clear ethical and safety guidelines for stem cell research conducted in Missouri - including a strict ban on any attempt to clone a human being.

"This research taking place in Missouri will likely make strides in finding treatments or cures for many diseases and injuries that plague humanity today," said Robert Soutier, President of the St. Louis Labor Council. "We just cannot afford to turn our back on the promise of this research to alleviate the suffering of hundreds of thousands of Missourians."

Medical researchers believe that stem cell research could lead to cures for leukemia, diabetes, Parkinson's, cancer, heart disease, ALS, sickle cell disease, spinal cord injury and many other diseases and injuries that affect a child, parent or grandparent in over half of all Missouri families.

"Missourians deserve to be on the same level playing field as people in other states with regard to stem cell research and cures," said Hugh McVey, President of the Missouri AFL-CIO. "Missouri citizens should have equal access to any lifesaving stem cell cures allowed in our country. And, the major private investments planned to pursue stem cell research at Missouri's world class medical research institutions will provide quality jobs for Missourians. Those investments and jobs will be lost to other states that are actively supporting stem cell research unless we ensure that stem cell research can be conducted here by passing Amendment 2."

"The AFL-CIO will be out working this election to make sure Amendment 2 passes and that we continue to keep Missouri on the forefront of this research," commented Bridgette Williams, President of the Kansas City Labor Council. "We are going to ensure that this vital research and these jobs stay in our communities and that Missourians have access to stem cell cures!"

Amendment 2 does not ask for or require state or taxpayer funding for any type of stem cell research. It will generate new state revenues and quality jobs by ensuring that Missouri medical institutions can keep and attract private funding for stem cell research. And, the development of stem cell cures for costly diseases like diabetes would significantly reduce health care costs for patients - and help reduce taxpayer-funded Medicare costs.

The Missouri AFL-CIO represents more than 350,000 working men and women in the state of Missouri. As a result of today's endorsement, the labor federation will begin cooperative political efforts to organize its members to ensure the passage of Amendment 2.

The Initiative is sponsored by the Missouri Coalition for Lifesaving Cures, a grassroots coalition of more than 60,000 citizens and over 100 leading medical, patient, faith and civic organizations, including the American Association for Cancer Research, American Diabetes Association, Christopher Reeve Foundation, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International, Lance Armstrong Foundation, Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Missouri State Medical Association, National Prostate Cancer Coalition, Society for Women's Health Research, Stowers Institute for Medical Research and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

More information about stem cell research, Amendment 2 and the Missouri Coalition for Lifesaving Cures is available on the Coalition's Web site at http://www.missouricures.com/ .

CONTACT: Hugh McVey 576-634-2115 (O) 573-619-0089 (C)

Missouri AFL-CIO

CONTACT: Hugh McVey for Missouri AFL-CIO, +1-576-634-2115 (O),+1-573-619-0089 (C)

Web site: http://www.missouricures.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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