HB 2336 - DIGEST

(SEE ALSO PROPOSED 1ST SUB)

Declares that it is the policy of Washington state that: (1) 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, is permitted upon full consideration of the ethical and medical implications of this research.

(2) 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 institutional review board.

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

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

Requires that, at least once per year, the institutional review board must conduct continuing review of human embryonic stem cell research projects reviewed and approved under this act to ensure that the research continues to meet the standards for institutional review board approval.

Requires each institutional review board that has reviewed human embryonic stem cell research pursuant to this act to report to the department annually the number of human embryonic stem cell research projects the board has reviewed and the status and disposition of each project.

Directs each institutional review board to also report to the department unanticipated problems, unforeseen issues, or serious continuing investigator noncompliance with the requirements or determinations of the institutional review board with respect to the review of human embryonic stem cell research projects, and the actions taken by the institutional review board to respond to these situations.

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. Failure to provide to a patient this information constitutes unprofessional conduct under chapter 18.130 RCW.

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.

Declares that a person who violates this restriction 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.

Provides that no person may knowingly engage or assist in cloning or attempting to clone a human being.