Embryonic Stem Cell Research (audio)
Air Date:02/01/2010
By Jackelyn Severin
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee discussed a measure overturning South Dakota’s ban on stem cell research. However, during committee discussion the bill was amended by the main sponsor effectively changing the entire nature of the measure.
After almost two hours of public testimony and committee debate on Senate Bill 74 the Senate Health and Human Services Committee was still divided on the issue of embryonic stem cell research. The main sponsor of the bill, Senator Ben Nesselhuf of Vermillion, says focusing on the research side of embryonic stem cells overshadows a more important part of the bill – receiving treatment from stem cells. Nesselhuf’s amendment strikes the entire bill and repeals only the ban on treatments deriving from human embryonic stem cells.
"As much as it pains me to let go of the entire repeal of the ban I think that there’s been enough muddying of the waters that, that is maybe beyond us to deal with right now," says Nesselhuf.
After passing the amendment the committee went on to pass the bill with a vote of four to two. It now goes to the senate floor for further debate.
Member stations can download audio file here.
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