Section

1         

Stem cell research.   Adds § 137.45.  Permits the University of Minnesota to spend state-appropriated funds on stem cell research.

2         

State policy for stem cell research.   Adds § 145.427.

     Subd. 1.  Research use permitted.   Permits research that derives or uses human    embryonic stem cells, human embryonic germ cells, and human adult stem cells from any source, including somatic cell nuclear transplantation.  Requires an approved institutional review board to review research that involves the derivation or use of human embryonic stem cells, human embryonic germ cells, and human adult stem cells, including somatic cell nuclear transplantation.

              Subd. 2.  Informed consent.   Requires health care providers treating patients for infertility to provide such patients information regarding the disposition of any human embryos after fertility treatment, including options for storing, discarding, or donating embryos to another individual or for research.  Requires any patient who chooses to donate embryos for research to provide written consent.

     Subd. 3.  Prohibiting sale of fetal tissue; cloning of human being.   (a) States that a person may not knowingly, for financial gain or advantage, buy, sell, transfer, or promote the sale or transfer of fetal tissue for research purposes.  Allows fetal tissue to be donated for research purposes.

(b) Provides that a violation of paragraph (a), prohibiting the sale of fetal tissue, constitutes a gross misdemeanor.

(c) Defines “cloning of a human being” and makes it a felony for a person to knowingly engage or assist in cloning a human being.