Louisiana House Approves Bill Banning Use Of State Funds For Therapeutic Cloning

Main Category: Stem Cell Research
Also Included In: Women's Health / Gynecology
Article Date: 18 Apr 2008 - 8:00 PDT

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The Louisiana House on Tuesday approved a measure (HB 370) that would prohibit the use of state or federal funds for research on human somatic cell nuclear transfer, the Baton Rouge Advocate reports (Shuler, Baton Rouge Advocate, 4/16). Somatic cell nuclear transfer is commonly known as therapeutic cloning (HB 370 text, 4/17). The measure was approved by a 90-9 vote (AP/WWLTV, 4/16).

The measure initially sought to prohibit the use of any state or federal funds for therapeutic cloning. The bill's sponsor, Rep. Cameron Henry (R), added an amendment to allow research to be conducted in the state that complies with Bush administration's federal funding restrictions that allow research on embryonic stem cell lines created prior to Aug. 9, 2001.

Claude Bouchard, executive director of the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, had requested the amendment so the state would not be at a disadvantage in competition to receive federal funds for research (Baton Rouge Advocate, 4/16). Even with the amendment, Bouchard said the measure will hinder efforts to recruit researchers, especially if a new administration eases the federal restrictions.

Supporters of the measure have said research using adult stem cells is more promising than embryonic stem cell research and a better way to fund taxpayer-supported research. Supporters also have pointed out that treatments derived from embryonic stem cells have not yet cured any diseases, the AP/WWLTV reports (AP/WWLTV, 4/16). According to Henry, Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) supports the measure (Baton Rouge Advocate, 4/16). Many conservative Christians throughout the state support the measure, while the Louisiana chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation opposes it. The measure now moves to the Senate for debate (AP/WWLTV, 4/16).

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