Mar. 29, 2005 – Advocates and opponents of stem cell research are ramping up their efforts as the Massachusetts Senate prepares to vote Wednesday on a controversial bill that would allow therapeutic cloning, the production of embryos for use in research.
The measure is expected to pass the state Senate but its fate in the House is less certain. Governor Mitt Romney, who only supports research on unused embryos from fertility clinics, is expected to veto the legislation. At that point, only a two-thirds majority in the legislature would override the veto.
Scientists say the legislation could expand the possibilities for stem cell use; therapeutic cloning is seen as a possible treatment or cure for maladies ranging from multiple sclerosis to diabetes. Critics of the legislation say destroying a fertilized egg, which is called a blastocyst at that phase, is immoral.
