Posted on 02/15/2008 1:34:05 AM PST by rhema
A Minnesota House panel approved a measure on Thursday that concerns pro-life advocates because it would approve and fund human cloning and the killing of human embryos at the University of Minnesota. The panel voted 11-8 for the Kahn–Cohen Cloning Bill that would force taxpayers to fund destructive research.
A leading pro-life group told LifeNews.com that the bill promotes the destruction of human life on a scale never before seen in Minnesota, and also requires university scientists to kill all cloned human beings or face felony charges.
“This is the most shocking and dangerous threat to human life in years,” Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life legislative associate Jenny Hoelscher told LifeNews.com.
“It is difficult for taxpayers to believe that their elected officials are even considering legislation which would require such massive destruction of human life," she added.
SF 100 would allow millions of dollars in taxpayer funds to be used to kill living human embryos. Taxpayer funds would also be available to finance the cloning of human embryos for the sole purpose of destroying them for experimentation.
“The vast majority of Americans are opposed to research that requires human cloning and the killing of human embryos,” Hoelscher explained. “The killing of innocent human life at any stage is unethical, regardless of any supposed benefits, and taxpayers must not be forced to fund it.”
The group said it was concerned that backers of the bill are disguising its support for human cloning by using a more technical term, somatic cell nuclear transplantation, that describes the cloning process.
MCCL told LifeNews.com that backers of the bill are telling lawmakers that SCNT isn't cloning despite the fact that it describes the actual method used to clone a human being.
“Do not be deceived by embryonic stem cell research or cloning by somatic cell nuclear transplantation,” Hoelscher said. “It is full of empty promises and deadly consequences.”
MCCL officials told the House Public Safety and Civil Justice Committee that the bill ignores more ethical and effective alternatives to human cloning to help find cures for diseases and help patients.
The group emphasized that adult stem cells offer real hope for people suffering from diseases and conditions such as cancer, lupus, Crohn’s, Parkinson’s, cardiovascular diseases, immune disorders and many more.
More than 70 cures and treatments have already been developed from adult stem cell research; in stark contrast, no embryonic stem cell cures or even human clinical trials exist.
Hoelscher emphasized that embryonic stem cell research and human cloning are a waste of taxpayer dollars.
“If these horrors they call ‘research’ were at all promising, biotech firms would pour billions of dollars into them,” she noted. “The biotech industry is seeking to force taxpayers to fund this research precisely because it is illusory, highly speculative and deadly.”
ACTION: Contact your state legislators and urge strong opposition to SF 100, the taxpayer-funded human cloning bill.
Related web sites: Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life
Minnesota’s pro-death, pro-taxes party at work
Never content with safeguarding the "right" to extinguish the lives of the unborn, most Democrat legislators want taxpayers to subsidize the extermination. There are a few exceptions, mercifully: Democrats for Life of Minnesota.
WELCOME TO FREE REPUBLIC’S MINNESOTA PING LIST!
89 MEMBERS & GROWING...!
FREEPMAIL ME IF YOU WANT ON OR OFF THIS LIST!
Something strange here, how does Kahn in the House, vote for a Senate file in her House Panel? There is a House version of the bill, perhaps that is what she is working on again. Either way, she wants to spend more money.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.