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Attorney General Koster Criticizes GOP Attempts To Roll Back Scientific Research In Missouri 

St. Louis, MO – Today, Attorney General Chris Koster spoke out against renewed attempts to prevent Missouri research institutions from conducting potentially life-saving stem cell research.

In 2006, Missouri voters passed a ballot measure providing constitutional protections for scientific research. These protections have allowed Missouri to lead the way in the search for cures for many chronic illnesses and diseases. However, Sunday, the Columbia Daily Tribune reported that Missouri Right to Life is preparing to once again launch an assault on groundbreaking stem cell research.

“By attacking the University of Missouri for engaging in this scientific research, the GOP is sending an unmistakable message to medical researchers around the world: Beware of coming to Missouri,” said Attorney General Koster. “At a time when we are trying to attract the best and brightest to come and work in our state, it is imperative our government leaders stand up and protect the intellectual freedom of doctors searching for cures to the world’s worst diseases. Missourians deserve to know where government leaders, and would be government leaders, stand on this important issue.”

Attorney General Koster has long been a stalwart supporter of scientists’ right to research innovative methods of using stem cells to solve some of the world’s most vexing medical challenges.

Background

Attorney General Koster Has Been Attacked By Some, Including Catherine Hanaway, For His Previous Support Of Stem Cell Research

[Hanaway Campaign Video, “Uncompromising.” July 29, 2015]

In 2005, Koster Said That The GOP Must Allow For Some Members To Support Unorthodox Opinions.

In 2005, in response to question whether his opposition to a GOP ban on stem cell research would put him at odds with GOP primary voters, Koster said, “We’re the majority party now. If we’re going to stay there, we have to govern with a broader vision.”  [The Kansas City Star, “Freshman legislator is rising star”, 5/22/2005]

Koster Takes On Anti-Choice Lobby And Defeats Ban On Stem Cell Research 

In 2005, The Kansas City Star called Koster “the hot new political name.” According to the article, Koster “was credited with defeating a bill to limit stem-cell research that had profound implications for Kansas City’s Stowers Institute.” In response to question whether this “would put him at odds” with GOP primary voters, Koster said, “We’re the majority party now. If we’re going to stay there, we have to govern with a broader vision.”  [The Kansas City Star, “Freshman legislator is rising star”, 5/22/2005]

Koster Backed Ballot Initiative To Allow Stem Cell Research In Missouri

Then in 2006, “Koster was the only Republican State Senator to back Amendment Two, which allowed any kind of stem cell research in Missouri that was legal under federal law” and in 2007 he “fought attempts by his fellow Republicans to put an amendment on the ballot in 2008 that would repeal it.”  [The New Republic, “Missouri Breaks,” 12/5/2007]

Koster Cited Republican Opposition To Stem Cell Research As Main Cause Of Switching To The Democratic Party

On August 2, 2007, the day after Koster announced his switch from the Republican to Democratic party, the St. Louis Daily Record/St. Louis Countian reported that “his decision was based mainly on Republican opposition to stem cell research…he also attributed his switch to former colleagues’ attitude toward the judiciary and the nonpartisan court plan, saying Republicans want to impose a ‘far-right litmus test for judges.’ “ Koster also stated that he felt the Republicans had a “extremist agenda.”  [St. Louis Daily Record/St. Louis Countian, “Party Crasher,” 8/2/2007]