La. House Approves Ban On Funding For Research Involving Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer

Main Category: Stem Cell Research
Also Included In: Women's Health / Gynecology
Article Date: 16 Jun 2008 - 7:00 PST

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The Louisiana House on Wednesday voted 89-1 to pass a Senate-approved measure (HB 370) that would prohibit the use of state or federal funds for research involving human somatic cell nuclear transfer, sometimes referred to as therapeutic cloning by supporters, the AP/Baton Rouge Advocate reports. The bill is scheduled to be sent to Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) next week, who is likely to sign it into law (AP/Baton Rouge Advocate, 6/11).

Somatic cell nuclear transfer involves removing the nucleus of an unfertilized egg cell, replacing it with the material from the nucleus of a "somatic cell" -- a skin, heart or nerve cell, for example -- and stimulating this cell to begin dividing in order to grow stem cells (Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 6/5). According to the AP/Advocate, supporters of the bill say that the research "creates a human life that is destroyed when stem cells are removed," while opponents of the measure say it could lead to treatment and cures for certain diseases (AP/Baton Rouge Advocate, 6/11).

Education Bill

The Louisiana Legislature also took up an education bill that supporters claim is designed to promote critical thinking but that opponents claim is a veiled attempt to add religion to science classes and to challenge well-established science teachings, the AP/New Orleans Times-Picayune reports. The Louisiana Science Education Act (SB 733), approved by the House Wednesday by a 94-3 margin, would allow teachers to supplement school science textbooks with material on topics such as human cloning, evolution and global warming. The bill heads back to the Senate for approval of a provision that would allow the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to prohibit supplemental materials it deems inappropriate. Sen. Bill Nevers (D), sponsor of the measure, said the provision does not require the board to look at all supplemental material but it could intervene if someone raises an objection.

Supporters of the measure say it would strengthen education and assist teachers that are confused about what is acceptable material for science classes. Rep. Frank Hoffman (R), who handled the bill in the House, said, "It basically protects teachers to be able to teach controversial subjects in science without looking over their shoulders." He added that the measure was not aimed at promoting religious doctrine.

The group Americans United for Separation of Church and State said the bill would promote teaching creationism in public schools and said some teachers might use supplemental materials created by fundamentalist Christian organizations. Barry Lynn, executive director of the group, in a statement said, "It's time for Louisiana to step into the 21st century and stop trying to teach religion in public schools." The organization said any attempt to introduce religious materials result in a lawsuit (Deslatte, AP/New Orleans Times-Picayune, 6/11).

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