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Tower Topics ~ Summer 2006 |
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Missouri’s proposed stem cell amendment is a ‘pre-eminent’ disasterby Steven Rogers In the ongoing national debate on cloning and stem cell research, the State of Missouri is at a major crossroads. Its diverging paths are as radically different as the proposed pro-embryonic stem cell constitutional amendment is from our established system of limited (albeit ever-growing) government. The proposed amendment fails to recognize the dignity of the human person. This is evident in its “clone and kill” approach to embryonic stem cell research, but also in its concealed goal of rewriting the basic checks and balances of American liberty.  Steven Rogers The proposed constitutional amendment seeks to create a commercial scientific right which will by design operate above and beyond the grasp of any governmental checks and balances. By its own language, well- concealed by the million dollar advertising machine selling the proposal, the amendment will strip all local, regional or statewide government of any right to do anything which would act to “discourage” or operate as a “disincentive” to embryonic stem cell research. No legislature, no governor, no judge of any court in the state will have any control over any aspect of the research. In essence, the proposed amendment creates a pre-eminent right to conduct embryonic stem cell research. It will be legally greater than any of the hallowed rights by which America has stood as a shining beacon of ordered liberty to the world for more than 225 years. For even our hallowed First Amendment rights are held in check and balance by reasonable restraints on their exercise. As one can not yell fire in a crowded theater, nor publish knowingly false defaming things about someone in the press, nor even conduct religious services in an unsafe manner, our most sacrosanct freedoms of speech, the press and of religious worship are limited. Mankind accepts these reasonable limits as necessary to insure the exercise and enjoyment of freedom by everyone. However, if passed by the unknowing electorate of Missouri, the constitutional amendment’s commercial- scientific research of embryonic stem cells will be subject to and limited only by the pocketbook consciences of those conducting the research. The same people to whom the financial windfalls - if any - shall accrue. No state law, rule, regulation or other constitutionally guaranteed right will stand if it acts so as to enigmatically “discourage” or act as a “disincentive” to embryonic stem cell research. No third world dictator could hope for more. Our world (including its clean water and clean air) will be subject to the dictates of those who mislabel their proposals, redefine the terms of the debate to confuse the electorate, and who seek to establish their absolute of commercial-science as the paramount authority of law. The absolute of unchecked commercial-science is seeking the overthrow of the absolute of moral law. The stakes simply do not get any higher. Steven Rogers holds a doctorate in jurisprudence from Baylor University. He is an alumnus of Conception Seminary College and visiting professor of Religious Freedom, as well as an Oblate of Conception Abbey. We welcome your comments: |
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