Stem Cell Research
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Stem Cell Research
Bill SB253 authorizes the use of stem cells for research that will hopefully lead to new treatments to relieve or cure chronic, degenerative, and acute diseases, such as diabetes, Parkinson's disease, cancer and Alzheimer's disease. These diseases are said to cause suffering to an estimated 128 million Americans. This bill would declare that the policy of the state should permit research involving human embryonic stem cells, human germ cells, and human adult stem cells from any source, including somatic cell nuclear transplantation. This bill requires a health care provider delivering fertility treatment to provide his or her patient with specified information. This bill allows for donation of a human embryo pursuant to specific requirements and would prohibit the purchase or sale of embryonic or cadaveric fetal tissue for research purposes.
Section 2, Article 5 Stem Cell Research:
125115.
The policy of the State of California shall be as follows:
(a) That research involving the derivation and use of human embryonic stem cells, human embryonic germ cells and human adult stem cells from any source, including somatic cell nuclear transplantation, shall be permitted and that full consideration of the ethical and medical implications of this research be given.
(b) That research involving the derivation and use of human embryonic stem cells, human embryonic germ cells, and human adult stem cells, including somatic cell nuclear transplantation, shall be reviewed by an approved institutional review board.
Stem cell research derived from embryos has the potential to develop into most of the 220 different cell types in the human body. They can be coaxed to develop into brain neurons, heart muscle, skin, etc. Procedures have already been developed which cause stem cells to form a pig's urinary sphincter muscle. In the future, methods may be found that would...
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