Constitutional Amendment Defining Life at Conception Heard in Committee

Intro:	A lawyer concieved out of rape spoke to legislators Tuesday on the sanctity of life at all stages.
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Wrap: An amendment to the Missouri Constitution would define life at conception, after legislative and voter approval.

Pro-life activists in favor of the measure say all life must be protected, and the distinctive human characteristics of a fetus should be protected as a human life.

Rebecca Kiessling, a lawyer concieved out of rape, said a human life should be respected and appreciated at all stages.

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Description: The beauty of personhood is that there are no exceptions.

Opponents of the amendment said the measure puts legislators' opinions on life's beginning into law, and that abortion should be an option to protect a mother's life.

The measure needs a passing vote in committee before moving to the House.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Jack Morrisroe.

Intro:	A volunteer physician said life does not start at conception at a hearing for a pro-life measure Tuesday.
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Wrap: Life at conception would be constitutionally protected in Missouri with legislative and voter approval.

Opponents of the measure said it is unlikely to pass a judicial review, with the decision in Roe v. Wade as precedent.

Family physician Ed Weisbart, who volunteers to treat the disadvantaged, said outlawing abortion is putting religious belief into law.

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Description: This law, as written, would impose the legislature's personal opinions onto the overwhelming majority of women, denying some of them access to basic women's health care.

Those for the amendment said the distinctive human characteristics of a fetus should be protected as a human life.

The measure needs a passing vote in committee before moving to the House.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Jack Morrisroe.

Intro:	Fetal tissue and parts would not be given to research in Missouri, under a proposed House bill.
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Wrap: The measure would also require abortion clinics in the state to be inspected annually without notice.

Those in favor of the bill say life should be sacred and recognized from conception while using the body parts for research detracts from that empathy.

Patricia Skain, the executive director for Missouri Right to Life, said the clinics should be safe for its patients.

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Description: It is very imperative and important that these clinics be inspected so that Missouri citizens are protected and they are in a safe environment.

Opponents say the measure will limit researchers' ability to improve treatments for all living people.

The measure must be approved in committee before moving to the House.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Jack Morrisroe.