Embryonic Stem Cell Bill Passes NC House

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Embryonic Stem Cell Bill Passes House

Special Report - July 30, 2007
The North Carolina House has approved legislation that would authorize the use of state taxpayer dollars to fund human embryonic stem cell research. House Bill 1837—Stem Cell Research and Wellness Act, sponsored by Representative Earl Jones (D–Guilford), passed the House in a 60 to 55 vote on Friday, July 27. The House Appropriations Committee approved the measure the day before by a 45 to 35 margin. While not directly funding embryonic stem cell research in North Carolina, the measure would provide guidelines for the issuance of grants from the State Health and Wellness Trust Fund to non-profit organizations that would then use the funds to conduct research involving human embryos.

Prior to the final vote in the House, Representative Mark Hilton (R–Catawba) offered an amendment to the bill that would have removed all language pertaining to embryonic stem cell research and substituted language authorizing state funding for research on non-embryonic stem cells only. This change would have eliminated any ethical obstacles by focusing on research using stem cells from non-controversial sources like umbilical cord blood. The amendment failed on a 45 to 62 vote.

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 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 written informed consent and without receiving any financial or other inducements to make the donation.

It is unclear whether the state Senate will take up the bill for consideration before the 2007 session ends, possibly at the end of this week.