US stem cell policy news

Delaware has moved a step closer to allowing human embryonic stem cell (ES cell) research. The Delaware Regenerative Medicine Act would permit ES cell research under the approval of an advisory council and would allow couples to donate 'spare' embryos for research after undergoing IVF. Reproductive cloning and the sale of embryos would be prohibited, however.

The state's Senate approved the measure by 13 votes to 7 after a four-hour long debate, which took place last week. The proposal must now be passed by the House before it can become law. Opponents of the measure voiced concerns over the destruction of human life, and also argued that the legislation was unnecessary as Delaware was not in a position to conduct ES cell research. Senate Minority Leader Charles L Copeland, who voted against the proposal, said 'Delaware's entire budget is $3 billion, the same that California is spending [on ES cell research]. California has research institutions statewide. We don't have the intellectual or monetary assets to have this research going on for 30 years', he said, adding that he thought an advisory council would be an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy with nothing to do.

In Florida, two stem cell propositions, one directing $20m per year of taxpayers money to ES cell research and one also providing $20m, but only for adult stem cell research whilst banning reproductive cloning, have been put to legislators. Florida's Congress is expected to debate the two bills next month.

Meanwhile at the federal level, it has been announced that the Senate will hear the Stem Cell Enhancement Act 2007, already passed by the House, after the spring recess. The bill will provide for federal funding of ES cell research and is almost identical to the bill vetoed by President Bush last year. The White House has indicated that the President has not changed his position. In response, the Democrats have threatened to attach the measure to 'must-do' legislation, in order to get round the two-thirds majority needed to override a veto.

Senator Sam Brownback has announced that he plans to reintroduce his so-called Brownback Bill, which would create a federal ban on all forms of human cloningand putting a halt to 'therapeutic cloning' research in the US. 'To create humans for research purposes is wrong. There should be a national or federal ban on this taking place',' said the Senator.