Human cloning for research

A 2008 law bans state funding for human cloning. Rep. Bob Dettmer (R-Forest Lake) wants to go one step further.

Known by its sponsors as the “Human Cloning Prohibition Act,” HF998 would make it illegal for any person or private or public entity to knowingly perform or attempt to perform human cloning.

Approved March 15 by the House Judiciary Policy and Finance Committee and referred to the House Health and Human Services Finance Committee, the bill would also make it illegal to ship or receive an embryo or any product derived from an embryo produced by human cloning. Its companion, SF695, sponsored by Senate President Michelle Fischbach (R-Paynesville), awaits action by the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee.

Although Dettmer said the bill addresses an issue that has bipartisan support, some DFL members are concerned the bill’s intended definition of “human cloning” would hinder important research already being done in the state.

“(HF998) makes it very clear in plain language that we do not produce copies of humans by cloning,” Dettmer said, “And makes it doubly clear that we won’t be producing human clones for the purpose of research and destruction.”

Dettmer said six other states and 12 other countries, including Canada, Germany and France, have similar laws.

Representatives for Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life testified in support of the legislation and fielded questions from committee members about the impact the bill would have on embryonic stem cell research conducted at public and private research institutions.

Rep. Sheldon Johnson (DFL-St. Paul) referred to an opposition letter from the American Society of Reproductive Medicine that cited concern over the bill’s inclusion of the process known as somatic cell nuclear transfer into the definition of human cloning.

MCCL Legislative Associate Jordan Bauer said that the process is the scientific term used for human cloning.