CGS-authored

It was the lone stem cell initiative in this round of U.S. elections. And on Wednesday, it appears Missouri voters passed a state constitutional amendment protecting the state_s right to conduct stem cell research already allowed under federal law.

Although the market responded positively to the news, boosting shares of leading stem cell companies like Geron, the win was far from a landslide.

Preliminary results showed the amendment winning support from about 51 percent of voters with 97 percent of the precincts reporting, according to the AP.

_So the interpretation is that although it passed, it squeaked by,_ said Jesse Reynolds, a director at the Oakland, California-based Center for Genetics and Society. The center is a policy research and advocacy organization for reproductive and genetic human biotechnology.

And moreover, _the backers had to spend a record shattering $30 million,_ Mr. Reynolds said.

From a policy standpoint, the amendment was largely symbolic, enshrining the state_s status quo.

But the symbolism helped Wall Street feel more confident about the public_s support for stem cell research and sent shares up for some of...