Virginia Democrats want to approve embryonic stem cell research, ban therapeutic cloning

Democrats in the Virginia General Assembly plan to propose legislation that would authorize human embryonic stem cell research in the state, Jesse Furgeson, spokesperson for state House Democratic Caucus Chair Brian Moran, said recently, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reports.

Some Republicans last year attempted to pass a measure that would have banned state funding of any institution conducting embryonic stem cell research.

Democrats plan to introduce a bill sponsored by Moran, as well as a measure sponsored by state Sens. Janet Howell (D) and Creigh Deeds (D) that would allow the state to provide funding to the Christopher Reeve Stem Cell Research Fund.

Deeds said the state Senate bill would ban the "therapeutic" cloning of embryos for stem cell research.

According to the Times-Dispatch, the legislative package also would require an oversight committee to review research projects and would require informed consent for donation of embryos.

The General Assembly cannot appropriate any funds during the current legislative session (Hostetler, Richmond Times-Dispatch, 1/6).