Massachusetts one step closer to stem cell law

The state Senate of Massachusetts, US, has passed an amended bill regulating human embryonic stem cell  (ES cell) research and cloning. Sponsored by Senate President Robert Travaglini, the bill, which was passed by 34 votes to two, would allow embryos to be cloned for medical research purposes, but prohibit human reproductive cloning.

The bill is an amended version of legislation to encourage ES cell research in the state that was approved by the Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate last month. It would also set up a 15-member stem cell advisory committee to oversee ES cell research, establish safeguards and hold public meetings. The advisory panel would also advise lawmakers on the issues in ES cell research and, for example, look into such issues as whether women who donate their eggs for ES cell research should be compensated.

The latest version of the bill has substituted the section that required ES cell researchers to first gain approval from the local district attorney with the phrase that the state will have 'some regulatory powers' over the research. It will now go back to the state House of Representatives, where debate is expected to begin next week. It is expected that the House will also pass the bill with a large margin. Governor Mitt Romney has pledged to veto the bill when it comes to him, but this gubernatorial veto can overridden if both chambers pass the bill with a two-thirds majority.

Meanwhile, Janet Napolitano, the Governor of Arizona, has signed into law a bill banning the use of state funds for all forms of human cloning, including the cloning of embryos for ES cell research.