Pro-life forces set agenda for legislative term

A ban on human cloning tops the list of issues several Missouri pro-life groups will be working for this legislative session.

The 2005 session opened Jan. 5 and was followed by the Jan. 10 inauguration of Republican Gov. Matt Blunt. This session, Republicans have the majority in both the House (97-65) and the Senate (23-11).

Pam Fichter, president of Missouri Right to Life, said a ban on human cloning is the "major focus" for her organization this year. Other groups, including the Missouri Catholic Conference and the Archdiocesan Pro-Life Committee, also are backing a ban on cloning.