HB 2336-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

Finds that stem cell research, including the use of embryonic stem cells for medical research, raises significant ethical concerns that must be balanced with medical considerations.

Provides that, while therapeutic cloning stem cell research holds enormous potential for treating or even curing some diseases, the reproductive cloning of human beings is morally and ethically unacceptable. Furthermore, the reproductive cloning of human beings poses grave health risks to any child who may be produced in this manner. Any attempt to clone a human being is in direct conflict with the policies of this state.

Declares it is the policy of Washington state that research involving the derivation of human embryonic stem cells, by any method, including somatic cell nuclear transplantation, and the use of human embryonic stem cells derived after August 1, 2001, shall be reviewed by an institutional review board.

Requires the department to develop guidelines for research involving the derivation or use of human embryonic stem cells in Washington by January 1, 2006.

Requires all research projects involving the derivation or use of human embryonic stem cells to be reviewed and approved by an institutional review board before being undertaken.

Directs the department to establish and maintain an anonymous registry of embryos that are available for research. The purpose of the registry is to provide researchers with access to embryos that are available for research purposes.

Provides that a health care provider delivering fertility treatment must provide his or her patient with timely, relevant, and appropriate information to allow the patient to make an informed and voluntary choice about the disposition of any human embryos remaining following the fertility treatment.

Provides that a person may donate human embryonic tissue or human cadaveric fetal tissue for research purposes.

Provides that a person may not knowingly, for valuable consideration, purchase or sell human embryonic tissue or human cadaveric fetal tissue for research purposes.

Provides that a person who violates this act is guilty of a felony and upon conviction is subject to a fine not to exceed fifty thousand dollars or imprisonment not to exceed five years, or both.