Missouri Farm Bureau Board of Directors Votes to Oppose Amendment #2

Based upon the policy adopted at the annual meeting of its membership, the Missouri Farm Bureau Board of Directors at its September meeting voted to oppose Constitutional Amendment #2, the so-called stem cell research and cures initiative.

The policy adopted by the Farm Bureau members at its last annual meeting reads as follows: “We are opposed to the cloning of human beings. We support adult stem cell research. We are opposed to the creation and use of human embryos or blastocysts for research purposes in which they are destroyed, discarded or knowingly subjected to risk of injury or death.”

Annually, the Missouri Farm Bureau spends almost six months in a process to determine its policy positions on a variety of issues. The process concludes with over 500 voting delegates, representing every county in the state, participating in Farm Bureau’s annual meeting in December.

Concerning the position taken by the Board of Directors on Amendment #2, Charlie Kruse, president of Missouri Farm Bureau, stated, “Stem cell research was discussed extensively by our membership during our policy development process. The 2006 policy adopted by our members clearly comes down on the side of opposing Constitutional Amendment #2.

“As discussed by our Board of Directors, Amendment #2 has important implications in the creation and protection of human life. Our members have great concern with the creation of human embryos that may then be destroyed in the name of science and research as allowed by Amendment #2. Our members are further concerned that the proposal may allow for human cloning.

“However, Missouri Farm Bureau policy supports adult stem cell research. This research has shown promise treating human illnesses and is allowed by state and federal laws. Amendment #2 is not needed to continue adult stem cell research.”