House Stem Cell Debate
The House debated Friday evening HB 1837, a measure that would set up a mechanism for the state to pay for embryonic stem cell research.
To be clear: the bill doesn't provide any money. But it sets out broad guidelines and requires the Department of Health and Human Services to lay out detailed rules for distributing the money.
Rep. Earl Jones, a Greensboro Democrat, is the primary sponsor of the measure, and it's pretty much the highest profile bill he's working on this year.
For background on the bill, click here.
Audio from Friday's debate:
- Rep. Pat McElraft, an Emerald Isle Republican, objects to funding stem cell research.
- Rep. Jim Gulley, a Matthews Republican, told colleagues he has Parkinson's disease. He says stem cell research has nothing to do with the abortion debate and should be allowed.
- Republicans tried to gut the bill on the floor. Jones urged his colleagues to vote down the change, which they did.
- Rep. Laura Wiley, a High Point Republican, "We do not need to go there." She opposes embryonic stem cell research funding.
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