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AJC.com > Legislature > Blog > Archives > 2009 > March > 09 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USSenate committee passes bill that would restrict stem cell research
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A Senate committee narrowly approved a bill Monday morning that would restrict stem cell research in Georgia, just as President Barack Obama has announced a lifting of restrictions on federal dollars for such research.
By a vote of 7 to 6 the Senate Health and Human Services Committee approved a revised version of Senate Bill 169 Monday morning.
The bill will go to the Rules Committee Tuesday and if approved, could make it to the Senate floor for a vote Thursday, which is the last day a bill can be considered by either chamber and still remain alive during this legislative session.
Opponents say the new version of the bill would criminalize stem cell research in Georgia and place a chilling effect on the practice of in-vitro fertilization.
Supporters say it’s an attempt to respect the right of life, even an embryonic potential life.
Senate Bill 169 defines a living human embryo as a person, not property. It prohibits the destruction of a living human embryo for any reason, such as scientific research. It would also apply in the event a couple has decided they no longer want to try to become pregnant, and want to dispose of their frozen embryos kept at a fertility clinic.
E. Culver “Rusty” Kidd, a lobbyist for the medical industry who uses a wheelchair now after a motorcycle accident 10 years ago, told the committee he opposes the bill.
He spoke representing himself Monday and summed up what he thinks the bill does in one short sentence.
“If you shuck the corn and get down to what this bill really does, you’re defining when life starts,” Kidd said.
The bill would prohibit the creation of human embryos for scientific research in Georgia.
“What they’re trying to do is eliminate embryonic stem cell research,” said Charles Craig, president of Georgia Bio, a private non-profit that promotes Georgia’s life sciences industry. He said it would have a negative effect on Georgia’s ability to recruit bio tech firms to the state.
Sen. David Adelman (D-Decatur) spoke against the bill, saying it addresses an area that is too complicated and controversial to be responsibly dealt with after only a few days of deliberation.
A subcommittee of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee was assigned to study the bill last Thursday. Sen. Preston Smith (R-Rome) came back with an amended version over the weekend and presented it to the subcommittee Monday morning, and it was approved 2 to 1 and passed on to the full committee.
“I’m concerned that Georgia is putting politics ahead of science,” Adelman said.
“We’ll send an unmistakable message that Georgia is an anti-science state,” he said.
Senate Bill 169 was first introduced as a bill that would prohibit another “octuplet mom” like the recent case of Nadya Suleman in California. Suleman gave birth to eight babies after in-vitro fertilization. She already has six children and is on public assistance.
While many of the controversial provisions about restricting in-vitro fertilization techniques have been removed from the bill, the legislation would still hinder in-vitro fertilization practice, said Dr. Andrew Toledo, a doctor with Reproductive Biology Associates.
The bill prohibits the destruction of human embryos for any reason. This would place an obstacle in the way clinics operate, Toledo said.
When parents decide that they no longer want embryos that are frozen, they either donate them for scientific research, or they ask that they be disposed, Toldeo said.
The bill would prohibit both practices and place patients in an uncertain situation, paying about $500 per year to preserve the embryos they no longer need, Toledo said.
Right to life supporters of the bill who testified at the meeting included the Catholic Archdiocese and the Georgia Baptist Convention.
The group Georgia Right to Life argues that the bill would allow for effective legal protection for all human beings from their earliest moment of development through natural death.
“No one’s right for a cure supercedes another’s right to life,” said Dan Becker, president of Georgia Right to Life.
During debate on the bill, Sen. Johnny Grant (R-Milledgeville) asked if the left-over embryos would become wards of the state.
“Are we creating a new liability of the state?” Grant asked.
“I don’t think we have an answer to that question,” said Smith.
Tom Daniel, Senior Vice Chancellor for the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, said the university system opposes it.
“We’re concerned it would have a damaging effect on research being done now and our ability to successfully do that in the future,” Daniel said.
Permalink | Comments (21) | Post your comment | Categories: Legislature
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By FancyPants
March 9, 2009 12:15 PM | Link to this
Politics ahead of science? In Georgia? Never.
Cute to call it politics, when we all know it’s religion. That’s ok, though. We’re going to hold the moral high ground (allegedly) all the way to the poor house.
By L
March 9, 2009 12:37 PM | Link to this
If an embryo is a person, that means that all abortion in Georgia is defined now as murder. I’m sure they either are too slow to realize that, don’t care, or are using this as a backdoor to restrict medical procedures. Doubt any of them are doctors.
By Audrey in Georgia
March 9, 2009 12:43 PM | Link to this
Leave it to Georgia to willingly be last in education and transportation, and now stem cell research!!!!!! This is the 21st century. Please stop acting like morons.
By Merkin Muffley
March 9, 2009 12:48 PM | Link to this
Strange that they will ban stem cell research and still allow the in-vitro fertilization procedures that produce the excess number of embryos, most of which will be thrown out in the trash. I suppose their morality believes destroying embryos in life saving research is far worse than destroying them by throwing them in a dumpster.
It couldn’t have anything to do with the higher level of political support in-vitro fertilization enjoys? That would be hypocritical.
By Gregg
March 9, 2009 1:44 PM | Link to this
I like the question posed by Sen. Grant. Who pays the bill once the parents no longer wants these embryos? Do we, the taxpayers pay the $500 per year for each of the “orphaned” embryos? We need to look at this thing in a rational way that is best for all Georgians and not just the few. If the Archdicese or the Georgia Baptist Convention is going to flip the bill I am all for the ban. If I have have to pay additional taxes for “orphaned” embryos I say “NO WAY”.
By jeh
March 9, 2009 2:12 PM | Link to this
This makes me ashamed to live in Georgia.
By HS
March 9, 2009 2:16 PM | Link to this
This is absolutely ridiculous. This is an important bill that requires substantial discussion, and the politicians are trying to push it through very quickly. The state of Georgia will look incredibly backwards if this bill passes. And what of the implications for IVF? IVF is expensive and emotional enough as it already is. To throw these additional measures in for families who desperately want children is shameful. I suggest each politician considers if their own children would even need to go through IVF.
By JM
March 9, 2009 2:36 PM | Link to this
This could potentially cost the state tens of millions of dollars in future healthcare investment. Ignorant Republicans in the legislature keep pushing this state backward and backward.
By Sandra Smith
March 9, 2009 2:39 PM | Link to this
I read the USA is only partially Christian!!!!! Now you see why the stem cell research is improtant. Kill an unwanted baby and kill the chance for one.GOD is getting madder and madder. Watch out!!!!! Rapture is coming soon.
By RealityKing
March 9, 2009 2:47 PM | Link to this
Georgians understand the scientific meaning of the word life and whole heartily support life over progressive research techiques that may one day lead to some kind of unknown medical benefit.
==>Life is a characteristic of organisms that exhibit certain biological processes such as chemical reactions or other events that results in a transformation.
By cliff zeider
March 9, 2009 3:40 PM | Link to this
Hey. Obama is fast becoming the aboration President. cz
By allison
March 9, 2009 3:44 PM | Link to this
I find this bill embarrassing - why does Georgia continue to insist on being such a Bible-beating backwoods state? This scientific research could benefit thousands of Georgians with diabetes, Parkinson’s, etc. Wake up right-wing GA lawmakers and remove your religious beliefs from our politics! What’s next? Are you going to ban dancing? I thought this was 2009, but apparently it is still about 1929 in GA.
By demwit
March 9, 2009 3:58 PM | Link to this
Aborting my 5 year trouble maker would certainly help me live longer. Has Obama legalized that yet??
By Mike Vitacco
March 9, 2009 4:06 PM | Link to this
No Problemo! If I need any stem cells to fix me up then I really would prefer some from other than GA. On second thought going outside the USA might even be better. I know, Delta is ready when you are (he, he, he!).
By Teresa
March 9, 2009 4:06 PM | Link to this
RealityKing - Nice job quoting the first sentence of the Wikipedia entry on Life. However, by that definition, simple enzymes would constitute life. If you scrolled down a little farther (or better yet, used a more reputable scientific source), you’d see that there are a lot of other requirements that an embryo does not meet (e.g. homeostasis, metabolism, response to stimuli, etc.).
By Vince
March 9, 2009 4:09 PM | Link to this
Why don’t you try finding some $#&*^( jobs for the 8.6% of Georgians unemployed instead of worrying about embryos that may or may not eventually become people who that will probably also be unemployed.
By blahhhh
March 9, 2009 4:10 PM | Link to this
I am sure that we can soon expect a bill to restrict sales of handguns and assault weapons, in order to protect human life.
Republican hypocrites. But I repeat myself.
This legislature makes you want to drink on Sunday. And then outlaws it.
By david c
March 9, 2009 4:46 PM | Link to this
I soooo much hate the Georgia Legislature here. They are soooo backwards. They think it is 1909 and not 2009.
Let the family decide when life begins, not the politicians.
By Bubba
March 9, 2009 4:50 PM | Link to this
The Governor said he wanted to promote the biotech industry in Georgia by proposing a law to make the companies immune from accountability to any Georgians they hurt, But that law would have been unconstitutional in violation of the commerce clause of the US constitution because it discriminated between in-state and out-of-state companies. However, his crew wants to make is a crime to do research that the same biotech companies urgently want to carry out.
Sonny and company don’t want to attract high paying biotech industry to Georgia. They just want to play politics to their base.
By Former Georgian
March 10, 2009 8:45 AM | Link to this
I was born, raised and educated in GA. Graduated from UGA with a BS and Emory with a Ph.D. in biology. I no longer live in GA or the Bible Belt. The state of GA continues to embarrass me with their backward ways, and when people notice my accent when I talk, I am ashamed to tell them of my origins. This bill will set back research opportunities in the institutes of higher learning in the state. I guess the image of the state as being full of ignorant religious idiots is perpetuated yet again. Georgia: Proudly Marching into the Past!!
By anonymous
March 11, 2009 12:13 PM | Link to this
i think this is stupid.