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Stem cell research
This issued died in the House when House leaders pulled it from consideration in early May.
Sen. Dick Cohen, DFL-St. Paul, is sponsoring a bill that would commit an unspecified amount of money toward state-level research, including on stem cells derived from unused, donated embryos. Past measures have advanced through Senate committees but never received a full floor vote. The House version of the bill is being carried by Rep. Phyllis Kahn
Sen. Dick Cohen, DFL-St. Paul, is sponsoring a bill that would commit an unspecified amount of money toward state-level research, including on stem cells derived from unused, donated embryos. Past measures have advanced through Senate committees but never received a full floor vote. The House version of the bill is being carried by Rep. Phyllis Kahn
More from MPR:
Bill tests Pawlenty's tailored stance on cell research (02/05/2007)
U of M stem cell researchers disagree with Gov. Pawlenty's position on research (02/07/2007)
Cloning ban built into stem cell research bill (02/27/2007)
Senate votes to permit tax dollars for stem-cell studies (04/25/2007)
SORT VOTES BY: Name | District | Party | Vote Senate approval
April 25, 2007 (SF100)
The 36-26 vote leaves the Senate short of the two-thirds majority needed to override a threatened veto by Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who has called for stricter limits on experiments using human embryos.
Supporters spoke of potential scientific breakthroughs from unhindered research and said a state policy would ensure proper oversight.
"Absent the ability to use the full gamut of stem cells that are available, the research doesn't work," said Sen. Dick Cohen, DFL-St. Paul and the bill's sponsor.
But opponents were equally insistent that research using cells derived from embryos is unproven and oversteps moral boundaries because the embryos typically get destroyed in the process. They argue it boils down to trading one life for another.
Result: Passed
| Legislator | Party | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ellen R. Anderson | DFL | 66 | FOR |
| Thomas M. Bakk | DFL | 06 | FOR |
| Linda Berglin | DFL | 61 | FOR |
| Don Betzold | DFL | 51 | FOR |
| Terri Bonoff | DFL | 43 | FOR |
| Jim Carlson | DFL | 39 | FOR |
| Satveer Chaudhary | DFL | 50 | FOR |
| Tarryl Clark | DFL | 15 | FOR |
| Richard J. Cohen | DFL | 64 | FOR |
| Dick Day | Republican | 26 | AGAINST |
| D. Scott Dibble | DFL | 60 | FOR |
| Steve Dille | Republican | 18 | AGAINST |
| John Doll | DFL | 40 | FOR |
| Sharon Erickson Ropes | DFL | 31 | FOR |
| Michelle L. Fischbach | Republican | 14 | AGAINST |
| Leo T. Foley | DFL | 47 | FOR |
| Dennis R. Frederickson | Republican | 21 | AGAINST |
| Chris Gerlach | Republican | 37 | AGAINST |
| David Hann | Republican | 42 | AGAINST |
| Linda Higgins | DFL | 58 | FOR |
| Bill Ingebrigtsen | Republican | 11 | AGAINST |
| Debbie J. Johnson | Republican | 49 | AGAINST |
| Michael J. Jungbauer | Republican | 48 | AGAINST |
| Amy Koch | Republican | 19 | AGAINST |
| Paul E. Koering | Republican | 12 | AGAINST |
| Gary W. Kubly | DFL | 20 | AGAINST |
| Keith Langseth | DFL | 09 | FOR |
| Dan Larson | DFL | 63 | FOR |
| Ron Latz | DFL | 44 | FOR |
| Warren Limmer | Republican | 32 | AGAINST |
| Tony Lourey | DFL | 8 | FOR |
| Ann Lynch | DFL | 30 | FOR |
| John Marty | DFL | 54 | FOR |
| James P. Metzen | DFL | 39 | FOR |
| Geoff Michel | Republican | 41 | FOR |
| Mee Moua | DFL | 67 | FOR |
| Steve Murphy | DFL | 28 | FOR |
| Thomas M. Neuville | Republican | 25 | AGAINST |
| Rick Olseen | DFL | 17 | FOR |
| Gen Olson | Republican | 33 | AGAINST |
| Mary Olson | DFL | 4 | AGAINST |
| Julianne E. Ortman | Republican | 34 | AGAINST |
| Sandra L. Pappas | DFL | 65 | FOR |
| Pat Pariseau | Republican | 36 | AGAINST |
| Lawrence J. Pogemiller | DFL | 59 | FOR |
| Yvonne Prettner Solon | DFL | 07 | FOR |
| Ann H. Rest | DFL | 45 | FOR |
| Claire A. Robling | Republican | 35 | AGAINST |
| Julie A. Rosen | Republican | 24 | AGAINST |
| Sandy Rummel | DFL | 53 | FOR |
| Tom Saxhaug | DFL | 03 | FOR |
| Linda Scheid | DFL | 46 | FOR |
| David H. Senjem | Republican | 29 | AGAINST |
| Katie Sieben | DFL | 57 | FOR |
| Dan Skogen | DFL | 10 | AGAINST |
| Dan Sparks | DFL | 27 | AGAINST |
| David J. Tomassoni | DFL | 05 | FOR |
| Patricia Torres Ray | DFL | 62 | FOR |
| Ray Vandeveer | Republican | 52 | AGAINST |
| Jim Vickerman | DFL | 22 | AGAINST |
| Betsy L. Wergin | Republican | 16 | AGAINST |
| Charles W. Wiger | DFL | 55 | FOR |
More from MPR:
Senate votes to permit tax dollars for stem-cell studies (04/25/2007)
Senate Health, Housing , and Family Security Committee approval
April 13, 2007 (SF1300)
Authored by Sen. Richard Cohen (DFL-St. Paul), establishes a state policy for stem cell research and allows the University of Minnesota to use state-appropriated funds for stem cell research. Cohen said the bill outlines the type of research that may be done, requires informed consent from patients relating to the disposition of any human embryos remaining following fertility treatment. The bill also prohibits the sale of embryonic or cadaveric fetal tissues for research purposes.
Meri Firpo, University of Minnesota Stem Cell Institute, said stem cell research is fundamental to understanding human development and to the development for treatments for a variety of diseases.
Fredrik Preston, speaking in opposition, said the destruction of embryos is the destruction of human life and morally wrong. Sharon Soderland, Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, also opposed the bill and said that life begins with conception and ends with death. "It is immoral to use embryonic stem cells as biological tissue for research," she said, "I don't believe using embryonic stem cells can be morally justified."
Sen. Betsy Wergin (R-Princeton) said the issue boils down to whether or not a person believes human life begins at conception. She said that researchers seem resistant to using other types of stem cells, which don't require the destruction of life. Cohen said the University is moving forward with other types of stem cell research, but the use of embryonic cells is critical.
The measure was approved and sent to the full Senate on a roll call vote of 9-5. (From Senate Briefly newsletter)
Result: Passed
| Legislator | Party | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linda Berglin | DFL | 61 | FOR |
| John Doll | DFL | 40 | FOR |
| Sharon Erickson Ropes | DFL | 31 | FOR |
| Michelle L. Fischbach | Republican | 14 | AGAINST |
| David Hann | Republican | 42 | AGAINST |
| Linda Higgins | DFL | 58 | FOR |
| Debbie J. Johnson | Republican | 49 | AGAINST |
| Paul E. Koering | Republican | 12 | AGAINST |
| Tony Lourey | DFL | 8 | FOR |
| Ann Lynch | DFL | 30 | FOR |
| John Marty | DFL | 54 | FOR |
| Yvonne Prettner Solon | DFL | 07 | FOR |
| Patricia Torres Ray | DFL | 62 | FOR |
| Betsy L. Wergin | Republican | 16 | AGAINST |
February 27, 2007 (HF34)
Sponsored by Rep. Phyllis Kahn (DFL-Mpls), HF34 would establish a state policy for stem cell research and permit the University of Minnesota to spend state monies on such research. It would also require health care providers treating infertility patients to provide information regarding the disposition of any human embryos after fertility treatment. Opponents said that embryonic stem cell research terminates a human life and others expressed concern that his could ultimately lead to cloning. An amendment put forth by Kahn, and successfully offered by Rep. Tom Rukavina (DFL-Virginia), the committee chairman, said “a person who knowingly engages or assists, directly or indirectly, in the cloning of a human being is guilty of a felony.”
Result: Passed
More from MPR:
Cloning ban built into stem cell research bill (02/27/2007)
House Biosciences and Emerging Technology Committee approval
February 7, 2007 (HF34)
HF34, sponsored by Rep. Phyllis Kahn (DFL-Mpls), would permit state-funded research using various types of human stem cells, including embryonic stem cells. Furthermore, an informed consent provision of the bill would require health care providers to give patients undergoing treatment for infertility the option of donating any remaining embryos for research purposes. The bill also prohibits the sale of fetal tissue. The bill passed the committee without recommendation on a divided voice vote.
Result: Passed
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