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DEL.ICIO.USStem cell research bill passes
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A bill that would promote nondestructive stem cell research in Georgia received final passage by the General Assembly Friday evening.
Senate Bill 148 would require all state hospitals by June 30, 2009, to inform pregnant women that they can donate placenta, umbilical cords and amniotic fluid to either public or private banks for medical research. Georgians who contribute to stem cell research would be eligible for a state tax break.
The bill also would establish a 15-member state commission that would oversee a system of umbilical cord blood banks and seek grants for nondestructive stem cell research.
“The bill prevents taxpayer funds from being used in research that destroys human embryos,” said Sen. David Shafer (R-Duluth), the bill’s sponsor. “It also prevents taxpayer funds from being used to create or clone human embryos for research. Instead, the bill advances nondestructive stem cell research involving umbilical cord blood and other non-controversial sources.”
The measure led to considerable debate earlier this year. Several patient advocate groups, scientists and biomedical research organizations opposed language in the initial Senate version of the bill. They said some passages could be interpreted as hostile to embryonic stem cell research in Georgia.
But Shafer worked with House Speaker Glenn Richardson (R-Hiram) and the House Science and Technology Committee to remove that language. They also added language that mirrors a federal bill being pushed by U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga).
Isakson’s measure, dubbed the Hope Act, would provide federal funding only for research on stem cells taken from so-called “naturally dead” embryos —- those too deficient to produce a child if implanted.
The House passed the new version of the bill by a vote of 148-0. Then, the Senate approved the House version of SB 148 in a vote of 48-0, sending the bill to Gov. Sonny Perdue for his consideration.
“It has the opportunity to create cures in many areas,” said Rep. Tom Rice (R-Norcross). “It is an incredibly good bill.”
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