Creates the human cloning prohibition act which makes it unlawful for any person or entity, public or private, to intentionally or knowingly perform or attempt to perform human cloning; defines terms; makes exceptions; imposes penalties for violations.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A5987
SPONSOR: Fitzpatrick (MS) TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to creating the human
cloning prohibition act
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To prohibit the use of cloning technology to initiate the development of
new human beings at the embryonic stage of life for any purpose, thera-
peutic or reproductive.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Amends the public health law by adding a new article 32-B to ensure the
foregoing.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORIGINAL AND AMENDED VERSION (IF APPLICABLE):
JUSTIFICATION:
On November 25, 2001, a biotechnology firm in Worcester, Massachusetts
known as Advanced Cell Technology announced that it had cloned human
embryos. The company's CEO, Mr. Michael West, insisted that the company
did not intend to implant cloned embryos and grow them into babies; they
sought only to create a new source for stem cells for research which can
potentially aid in the cure of disease. Other scientists and groups,
however, have announced that they will try to produce live-horn children
by human cloning. These developments have renewed the government's
interest in the issue. Human cloning creates a new living organism that
is genetically identical to a previously existing human organism. It
violates human dignity and medical ethics to either allow experimenta-
tion on these human organisms or to implant these human organisms for
pregnancy and subsequent live birth. This legislation would prohibit
human cloning for both scientific research purposes and for reproductive
purposes.
Human cloning technology represents an alarming assault on the dignity
and value of human life. Human cloning, reduces human life to a manufac-
tured product that can be created and discarded at will. Cloning is the
ultimate dehumanizing of human reproduction. New human lives are made in
the laboratory, tailored to preset specifications to be mere carriers of
genetic traits that others find useful. This bill in no way stifles
legitimate scientific research that could lead to the diagnosis, treat-
ment and prevention of human disease and disorders. It does not alter
the legal status of gene therapy, the cloning of plants and animals, the
cloning of human organs for transplantation, or adult stem cell
research. Such morally appropriate technology can be developed to gener-
ate human cells that may be needed to treat certain illnesses
(Alzheimer's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Cancer, Parkinson's Disease,
etc.) -- Without creating and killing human embryos.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2024 - A6441 - Referred to Health Committee
2022 - A5677 - Referred to Health Committee
2020 - A5863 - Held in Health Committee
2018 - A6632 - Held in Health Committee
2016 - A6566 - Held in Health Committee
2014 - A3198 - Held in Health Committee
2012 - A2612 - Held in Health Committee
2010 - A4311 - Held in Health Committee
2008 - A5393 - Died in the Health Committee
2006 - A4855 - Died in the Health Committee
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None to the State.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have
become a law.
