Georgia Takes Action: SB 169 to Protect Human Embryos
by Staff
March 10, 2009
LAWRENCEVILLE, GA, (christiansunite.com) -- While President Obama was signing the executive order that would provide federal funds for destructive Human Embryo research today, the Georgia Senate's Health and Human Services Committee moved SB 169: The Ethical Treatment of Human Embryos Act to the Senate Rules Committee on a 7-6 vote.This bill allows for the advancement of scientific research, while also addressing the important ethical questions related in the ongoing debate about Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research (HESCR).
First, it allows for the continuation of research that is already being done 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 other non-destructive stem cell research such as induced pluripotent stem cell (iPs) research.
Second, it limits the creation of new embryos in Georgia for destructive, scientific purposes, such as HESCR, human cloning, human-animal hybrids, and gestating in artificial wombs.
"We have always supported adult stem cell research which to date has 70 known cures to its credit. We are opposed to destructive Human Embryonic Stem Cell research and applaud the Georgia Senate Health and Human Services Committee for passing SB 169 out of committee," said Daniel Becker president of Georgia Right to Life.
Becker, who testified before the committee, said "The Human Embryo is one of us, fully human with great potential. Biological science tells us this. We do not think that we need to sacrifice human life for money and economic development or the remote possibility of a medical cure for someone else. The Nuremburg trials taught us that human beings should not be experimented on to advance science."
If SB 169 is approved by the Senate Rules Committee, then it may be considered on the Senate Floor on Thursday.
Georgia Right to Life is Georgia's largest and oldest organization dedicated solely to the protection of innocent human life from fertilization to natural death.
