Georgia Senate passes bill to ban creation of embryos for research purposes

Mar 13, 2009 / 13:33 pm

Thursday it was announced that the Georgia Senate has passed a bill to ban the creation of embryos for the purpose of research, human cloning or creating human-animal hybrids.

While the bill, SB169: The Ethical Treatment of Human Embryos Act, allows for the continuation of research being carried out on existing stem cell lines, it supports the scientific research and discoveries that continue to be found through adult stem cell research, as well as the use of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPs)," reported a press release from Georgia Right to Life.

Additionally, the new bill limits the creation of new embryos in Georgia for destructive, scientific purposes, such as human cloning and human-animal hybrids (called chimeras).

"We've established a Sanctity of Life beachhead in the 21st century but know that we have major battles ahead," remarked Dan Becker, president of Georgia Right to Life.

"We have always supported adult stem cell research which to date has 70 documented cures to its credit. We are opposed to destructive Human Embryonic Stem Cell research and applaud the Georgia Senate for passing SB 169," continued Becker. "It is a step in the direction of constitutional Personhood for all humans from fertilization to natural death."

The bill will now go to vote in the state’s House of Representatives.