‘Octuplet’ bill likely to languish

A Georgia bill inspired by the California mother of octuplets has been sent to a subcommittee after a Senate panel said it needed more study.

The action Thursday by the state Senate Committee for Health and Human Services effectively means “The Ethical Treatment of Human Embryos Act” is dead for the current legislative session.

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But several key lawmakers say they support the thinking behind the bill. It’s expected the issue will be revived next year.

The bill would make Georgia the first state in the nation to limit the number of fertilized embryos that a woman could create and implant through in-vitro treatments. Opponents say it would put fertility clinics out of business in Georgia. Supporters say it’s needed to rein in the big bucks baby-making industry.

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S.B. 169: www.legis.ga.gov