HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1268
As Reported by House Committee On:
Health Care
Appropriations
Title: An act relating to stem cell research.
Brief Description: Regulating stem cell research.
Sponsors: Representatives Schual-Berke, Jarrett, Tom, Sommers, Dickerson, Cody, Hankins, Murray, Hudgins, B. Sullivan, Fromhold, Haler, Appleton, Wallace, Kagi, Dunshee, Springer, Upthegrove, Kenney, Quall, Pettigrew, Morris, Darneille, Moeller, Morrell, Hunt, Lovick, Kessler, Williams, Roberts, Chase, Santos and McIntire.
Brief History:
Health Care: 2/1/05, 2/11/05 [DP];
Appropriations: 3/1/05, 3/3/05 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 8 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Morrell, Vice Chair; Appleton, Clibborn, Green, Lantz, Moeller and Schual-Berke.
Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 6 members: Representatives Bailey, Ranking Minority Member; Curtis, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Alexander, Condotta, Hinkle and Skinner.
Staff: Chris Blake (786-7392).
Background:
The Biology of Stem Cells
Stem cells can be distinguished from other types of cells in three ways. First, they are
capable of dividing and replicating (renewing) themselves indefinitely. Second, stem cells
are unspecialized. This means that they do not perform any specific function, as do heart
muscle cells, red blood cells, or nerve cells. Lastly, stem cells can create specialized cells.
While stem cells do not perform a particular function, they can give rise to specialized cells
while remaining unspecialized themselves.
Stem cells can be classified as embryonic stem cells, embryonic germ cells, and adult stem
cells according to the stage of development of the organism. The key difference between
embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells is that an embryonic stem cell can become any type
of cell in the body, while adult stem cells can only vary between the different types of cells
within the organ in which they are found. Some research, however, has suggested that adult
bone marrow stem cells may have similar characteristics. Another significant difference is
that embryonic stem cell replication can generate large numbers of new cells, while adult
stem cells do not replicate as easily under current technology.
Scientists obtain human embryonic stem cells from the blastocyst stage of embryos that are
not used after in vitro fertilization treatment. The blastocyst is the stage of embryonic
development that occurs approximately four to five days after fertilization of the oocyte and
prior to implantation in the uterine wall. In 1998 scientists first isolated and cultured human
embryonic stem cells, a process that destroys the embryo. Current research using stem cells
pertains to diabetes, Parkinson's disease, heart disease, stroke, cancer, arthritis, burns,
congenital birth defects, and spinal cord injury.
Cloning
Cloning is the process where scientists make a genetic copy of another animal by asexual
reproduction. A genetically identical animal is made by transplanting the nucleus from a
specialized cell into an unfertilized egg that has had its nucleus removed. Sheep, mice, goats,
pigs, and cows have all been cloned. The determination of whether or not one animal is a
clone of another is made by comparing the DNA of both creatures.
Federal and State Policy on Stem Cells
In 1995, Congress passed legislation prohibiting the use of federal funds for research that
may harm a human embryo. The most recent executive order to interpret this law was issued
in August 2001 when the President announced that federal funding of embryonic stem cell
research would be permitted only for research on the embryonic stem cell lines in existence at
that time; funding would not be available for any subsequently created embryonic stem cell
lines. The limitation does not apply to privately funded research. At the same time, the
President announced the creation of the President's Council on Bioethics to study the ethical
and moral implications of developments in biomedical and behavioral science and
technology.
In the past few years some states have passed legislation regulating stem cell research. Bills
were enacted in South Dakota and Kansas to restrict the use of human embryonic stem cells
for research, while California and New Jersey have declared that it is their policy to permit
research regarding human embryonic stem cells, human embryonic germ cells, and human
adult stem cells. Several states have created institutes to coordinate stem cell research,
including California which recently passed Proposition 71 to provide $3 billion to fund stem
cell research.
Summary of Bill:
Definitions are provided for several terms related to cell biology. A "blastocyst" is defined as
a preimplantation embryo consisting of about 150 cells with an inner layer comprised of
undifferentiated cells that have the potential to become any type of cell in the human body.
"Reproductive cloning of a human being" is defined as asexual reproduction of a human
being by transplanting a blastocyst that has been created by replacing the nucleus of an oocyte
with a human somatic cell and transferring it into a uterus or uterus substitute.
The Human Stem Cell Research Advisory Committee (Committee) is established to develop
guidelines for conducting research on human embryonic stem cells in Washington. The
guidelines shall balance the state policy of promoting research involving human embryonic
stem cells and the ethical considerations of conducting such research. The Committee may
update the guidelines and issue advisory opinions as required by developments in research
and medicine. The Committee consists of 13 members appointed by the Governor.
Membership consists of seven scientists with biomedical research experience, two medical
ethicists, two people with legal background in issues related to the donation of blastocysts
and oocytes, and two members of the public.
Health care providers that deliver fertility treatment to patients must provide them with
adequate information to make an informed choice regarding the disposition of unused human
blastocysts after treatment. Patients must be presented with the options of disposing of
unused blastocysts including storing them, discarding them, donating them to another person,
or donating them for research. Patients must also receive a form that details the patients'
preferred disposition of any unused blastocysts in the event of the death of a patient, the
separation or divorce of the partners, or the abandonment of the blastocysts due to failure to
pay the storage fee. Before donating the unused blastocysts for research, the patient must
provide written consent. Elements of what constitutes informed consent are established. The
use of human eggs or human sperm that have been donated for the purpose of assisted
reproduction may not be used for research purposes without the donor's written consent.
Reproductive cloning or attempted reproductive cloning of a human being is prohibited and
carries a civil penalty of $100,000 for each violation.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: Research on human embryonic stem cells offers hope for cures for many diseases. Encouraging stem cell research in Washington could offer an opportunity for economic development. The use of human embryonic stem cells is morally warranted if it can lead to saving lives or healing others. The blastocysts used to obtain human embryonic stem cells for research are otherwise discarded after in vitro fertilization treatment.
Testimony Against: Adult stem cells are an alternative to using embryonic stem cells that have already helped numerous patients. There are potential problems with using human embryonic stem cells for medical therapies. The destruction of human embryos is immoral even if for medical research.
Persons Testifying: (In Support) Representative Schual-Berke, prime sponsor; Cathy and
Caity Rigg; Dennis Wright; Alex Goldberg, Washington Advocates for Medical Research;
Tracy Craig, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association; Ann Hedreen, patient advocate;
Suzanne Holland, PhD, University of Puget Sound; Reverend Adrienne Schlosser-Hall,
Cancer Care Chaplain; Jackie Der, Randall Moon, Chuck Murry, and Tony Blau, University
of Washington.
(Opposed) Matt Muckler, Washington State Catholic Conference; John D. Mallinger; Dr.
Patricia O'Halloran; and Dr. Sharon Quick, American Academy of Medical Ethics.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 18 members: Representatives Sommers, Chair; Fromhold, Vice Chair; Anderson, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Cody, Conway, Darneille, Dunshee, Grant, Haigh, Hunter, Kagi, Kenney, Linville, McDermott, McIntire, Miloscia, Schual-Berke and Walsh.
Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 10 members: Representatives Alexander, Ranking Minority Member; McDonald, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Armstrong, Bailey, Buri, Clements, Hinkle, Pearson, Priest and Talcott.
Staff: Amy Hanson (786-7118).
Summary of Recommendation of Committee On Appropriations Compared to
Recommendation of Committee On Health Care:
No new changes were recommended.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: In addition to potentially relieving the suffering and devastation of diseases such as Parkinson's, diabetes, ALS, Alzheimer's, spinal cord injury, and heart failure, there are important economic implications in stem cell research. Today, human embryonic stem cell research is poised to transform virtually all areas of medicine. Unlike adult stem cells, human embryonic stem cells have the innate ability to develop into all human tissues; so many diseases that are today considered incurable will one day be treated and possibly cured using human embryonic stem cells. Gene and cell therapy regenerative medicine represents the future. Indications are that human embryonic stem cell research has the potential to lead to life saving breakthroughs in major diseases. Currently this knowledge cannot be obtained from stem cells derived from other sources. Federal policy currently stymies human embryonic stem cell research.
Testimony Against: To relieve the suffering of the many people with debilitating diseases, we support adult stem cell research. We are concerned that medical research on somatic nuclear transfer and embryonic stem cell research is occurring without addressing the ethical issues. Human life, including embryonic life, deserves full respect and protection at every stage of development. Killing human embryos for the sake of research is not a moral thing to do. These bills authorize research harmful to embryos and potentially harmful to women, patients and physicians practicing ethical medicine. Therapeutic cloning requires a tremendous number of eggs required to cure patients that would be eligible for this type of research. Poor or disadvantaged women around the world may end up being exploited for the harvesting of those eggs.
Persons Testifying: (In support) Kate Willette; Carey Christensen; Hans Wold, NW
Heriditary Disease Foundation; Jackie Derr, University of Washington School of Medicine;
Robert Wardel; Tracey Craig, Amylateral Sclerosis Association; Tony Blau, University of
Washington; Vicki Austin, Washington Biotechnology and Biomedical Association; Laura
Thelander, American Diabetes Association; and Jack Faris, Washington.
(Opposed) Matt Muckler, Washington State Catholic Conference; Sharon Quick, MD,
American Academy of Medical Ethics; and Bob Higley, Washington Evangelicals for
Responsible Government.