Rell Signs Law Establishing Stem Cell Research Fund [Connecticut]

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Gov. M. Jodi Rell Wednesday signed into law an act permitting stem cell research and banning the cloning of human beings, which establishes a 10-year, $100 million fund to encourage stem cell research in Connecticut, according to a press release issued from her office.

"Stem cells hold tremendous promise," said Rell in the release. "Promise for the future of medicine, promise for the future of humanity, promise for the future of Connecticut -- all these are contained within a tiny speck. It is only right that Connecticut, home to a thriving bioscience industry and two of the finest research universities in the world, should stake its claim to a role in this research."

The new law establishes a ban on human cloning and sets guidelines for the way embryos, embryonic stem cells, unfertilized eggs and sperm are donated.

It also establishes a nine-member Stem Cell Research Advisory Committee responsible for administering grants from the research fund in consultation with the Commissioner of the Department of Public Health, and a five-member Stem Cell Research Peer Review.

The research...