State laws governing stem cell research

A bill given first-round approval Tuesday by the Nebraska Legislature would prohibit the use of state money or facilities for creating or destroying human embryos for stem cell research using a technique called somatic cell nuclear transfer more commonly referred to as therapeutic cloning.

Fifteen other states already have laws governing cloning. Here's what they do:

Prohibit reproductive and therapeutic cloning: Arkansas, Indiana, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota

Prohibit reproductive cloning: California, Connecticut, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island (expires 2010), Virginia

Specifically permit therapeutic cloning: California, New Jersey

Prohibit use of public money for reproductive and therapeutic cloning: Arizona, Michigan

Prohibit use of public money for reproductive cloning: Missouri

Legislation is pending in Illinois, New Jersey, New Mexico and Oklahoma.

There is no federal law that governs cloning. Legislation has been introduced on both sides of the issue.

Source: National Conference of State Legislatures

On the Net: http://www.ncsl.org/