HF 4206

as introduced - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to health; establishing a state policy for stem cell research; proposing
coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 137; 145.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [137.45] STEM CELL RESEARCH.
new text end

new text begin The University of Minnesota may spend state-appropriated funds on stem cell
research.
new text end

Sec. 2.

new text begin [145.427] HUMAN PLURIPOTENT STEM CELL RESEARCH.
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new text begin (a) The policy of the state of Minnesota is to support basic and applied research
to develop techniques for the isolation, derivation, production, or testing of stem cells,
including pluripotent stem cells that have the flexibility of embryonic stem cells, whether
or not they have an embryonic source, that may result in improved understanding of, or
treatments for, diseases and other adverse health conditions, provided that the isolation,
derivation, production, or testing of such cells will not involve the following:
new text end

new text begin (1) creation of a human embryo or embryos for research purposes; or
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new text begin (2) destruction or discarding of, or risk of injury to, a human embryo or embryos
other than those that are naturally dead.
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new text begin (b) The commissioner of health shall issue guidelines that:
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new text begin (1) provide guidance concerning the next steps required for additional research,
which shall include a determination of the extent to which specific techniques may require
additional animal research to ensure that any research involving human cells using these
techniques would clearly be consistent with the standards established in paragraph (a);
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new text begin (2) prioritize research with the greatest potential for near-term clinical benefit;
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new text begin (3) consistent with standards established under paragraph (a), take into account
techniques outlined by the President's Council on Bioethics and any other appropriate
techniques and research; and
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new text begin (4) in the case of research involving stem cells from a naturally dead embryo, require
assurances from grant applicants that no alteration of the time, methods, or procedures
used to create, maintain, or intervene in the development of a human embryo was made
solely for the purposes of deriving the stem cells.
new text end

new text begin (c) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given:
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new text begin (1) "Naturally dead" means having naturally and irreversibly lost the capacity
for integrated cellular division, growth, and differentiation that is characteristic of an
organism, even if some cells of the former organism may be alive in a disorganized state.
new text end

new text begin (2) "Human embryo or embryos" means any organism, not protected as a human
subject under Code of Federal Regulations, title 45, part 46, as of the date of enactment of
this section, that is derived by fertilization, parthenogenesis, cloning, or any other means
from one or more human gametes or human diploid cells.
new text end

new text begin (3) "Risk of injury" means subjecting a human embryo or embryos to risk of
injury or death greater than that allowed for research on fetuses in utero under Code of
Federal Regulations, title 45, section 46.204(b), and in the guidelines issued pursuant to
paragraph (b).
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin STATE AMNIOTIC AND PLACENTAL STEM CELL BANK.
new text end

new text begin The commissioner of health shall conduct a study to recommend an optimal structure
for an amniotic and placental stem cell bank program and to address pertinent issues to
maximize the potential of such technology, including collection, storage, standards setting,
information sharing, distribution, reimbursement, research, and outcome measures. In
conducting this study, the Department of Health should receive input from relevant
experts including the existing operators of tissue bank programs and biomedical research
programs. By January 15, 2009, the commissioner of health shall report the findings of
this study to the legislature.
new text end