The legislature of the US state of New Jersey has taken major steps towards allowing embryo stem cell (ES cell) research. In December, the state assembly passed a bill by 41-31 specifically promoting ES cell research - making it only the second state in the US to do so. Last week, New Jersey's State Governor, James McGreevey (democrat), signed the new bill into law, saying that it will 'move the frontiers of science forward'.
The bill, while 'expressly endorsing somatic cell nuclear transplantation' (cloning for research purposes, including stem cell research), also states that fertility clinics within the state must inform patients about embryo donation. If written permission is given by them, the surplus embryos left over after patients undergo fertility treatments can be donated either to other couples or for ES cell research. The bill also prohibits human reproductive cloning, which becomes punishable by a prison sentence of up to 20 years.
New Jersey already has strong links to the US pharmaceutical industry and the possibility of freely conducting research on embryos might attract more scientists and biotechnology firms to the state. When California passed its permissive ES cell law, many scientists relocated there, acknowledged Dr Ira Black, director of the stem cell research centre at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at the University of New Jersey. Neil Cohen, who originally sponsored the New Jersey bill, said 'let New Jersey gather the most accomplished scientific and research minds of the 21st century and embark on an historic pathway to cures'. The bill does not provide any funding for ES cell research, nor does it affect the research conducted by federally-funded scientists, as they will still only be able to use the limited number of ES cell lines authorised for use by President Bush in August 2001.
Christopher Reeve, the Superman actor paralysed in a horse-riding accident and now a vociferous campaigner for ES cell research, welcomed the New Jersey law, saying he was proud that his home state was so progressive. At the signing of the bill, he said that a vote on a similar bill is due later this month in the state of Illinois, with New York state and Massachusetts also considering the introduction of similar legislation.
Sources and References
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Critics say NJ law encourages cloning
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New Jersey passes stem cell law
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In stem cell law, supporters see opportunity for New Jersey
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NJ 2nd state to OK stem cell research
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