N.C. House Appropriations Committee Passes Stem Cell Bill

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N.C. House Appropriations Committee Passes Stem Cell Bill

Special Report - July 26, 2007
A bill that would authorize embryonic stem cell research in North Carolina is headed for a full vote on the floor of the North Carolina House after passing the House Appropriations Committee on Thursday. The committee approved House Bill 1837—Stem Cell Research & Wellness Act by a 45 to 35 vote Thursday morning following a disputed vote the day before. When the Appropriations Committee took up the bill Wednesday, the committee was abruptly adjourned after it was announced that HB 1837 had passed on a 31 to 30 vote. Following the meeting, several members questioned the vote count, and according to committee chairman, Rep. Mickey Michaux (D-Durham), a recount of the vote found the result to be a 31 to 31 tie. Instead of ruling that the bill had failed because it did not receive a majority vote, Rep. Michaux decided to call for a re-vote, which resulted in passage of the bill on Thursday morning.

Committee members adopted a substitute version of the bill prior to taking a final vote on the measure. The new version eliminated a $10 million appropriation for embryonic stem cell research and replaced it with a provision directing the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services to issue guidelines to carry out the provisions of the bill and authorizing the State Health and Wellness Trust Fund to use available funds to "create a committee to establish guidelines for providing grants to nonprofit organizations conducting stem cell research in North Carolina."

Also before passing the bill, the committee adopted an amendment offered by Rep. Mitch Gillespie (R—McDowell) that would require the General Assembly to approve the guidelines adopted by the Health and Wellness Trust Fund committee prior to the issuance of any grants for embryonic stem cell research.

HB 1837 would allow state taxpayer dollars to be used to fund research on embryonic stem cells if:

1. The stem cells were derived from human embryos that have been donated from in vitro fertilization clinics, were created for the purposes of fertility treatment, and were in excess of the clinical need of the individuals seeking such treatment.

2. Prior to the consideration of embryo donation and through consultation with the individuals seeking fertility treatment, it was determined that the embryos would never be implanted in a woman and would otherwise be discarded.

3. The individuals seeking fertility treatment donated the embryos with the written informed consent and without receiving any financial or other inducements to make the donation.

Despite the elimination of the $10 million appropriation and requirement that lawmakers review and approve funding guidelines, HB 1837 would still create a state policy in favor of research that results in the destruction of human embryos, human life at its earliest and most vulnerable stage.