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State lawmakers renew drive to ban hybrids
By Marc Kovac
COLUMBUS
Republican lawmakers have renewed their efforts to ban medical research involving the creation of human-animal hybrids.
Legislation moving through the Ohio House and Senate would prohibit the creation, transportation or receipt of embryos containing human and animal genetic material.
“Issues surrounding this topic in particular are very complex and can generate a lot of emotion,” said Rep. Andy Thompson, a Republican from Marietta and a primary sponsor of the House version of the legislation. “Patients and families affected by illness certainly deserve the compassion and attentiveness of the doctors and scientists who are working towards cures for the various diseases that affect far too many in the world. This research, however, should not come at the cost of a human life.”
The bills also would ban the transfer of animal embryos into human wombs and human embryos into animal wombs.
Violators would face up to five years in prison and fines of $1 million or more.
Research using animal parts for human transplants would be exempt, as would adult stem cells.
“Stem-cell science has moved beyond cloning and the creation of animal- human hybrids,” Thompson told members of the House’s Health and Aging Committee Wednesday. “And, in fact, over the past couple of years, a growing number of published scientific papers have shown that adult stem cells are a much more promising source of stem cells in regenerative medicine.”
Comparable legislation passed the Republican-controlled Ohio Senate last year but stalled in the Ohio House, which was controlled by Democrats at that time.