SB 5466-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

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

Requires a physician, surgeon, or other health care provider delivering fertility treatment to provide his or her patient with timely, relevant, and appropriate information to allow the individual to make an informed and voluntary choice regarding the disposition of any human embryos remaining following the fertility treatment. The information must include the option of storing unused embryos, donating unused embryos to another individual, discarding unused embryos, or donating unused embryos for research.

Declares that a patient who chooses to donate unused embryos for research after a consultation shall provide written consent.

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. A person who violates this provision 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 the cloning or attempted cloning of a human being.

Declares that the attorney general may bring an action to enjoin any person from violating this provision.

Declares that any person who violates this provision is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed one million dollars for each violation.

Declares that nothing in this act shall be construed to restrict areas of biomedical, agricultural, and scientific research not specifically prohibited by this provision, including somatic cell nuclear transfer or other cloning technologies to clone molecules, DNA, cells, and tissues.