House committee OKs bill for embryonic stem cell research

RALEIGH (AP) — A House committee today approved a bill to set aside $10 million for embryonic stem cell research in North Carolina.

The measure passed despite the concerns of opponents about the protection of human life.

The bill would allow research on stem cells that come from embryos left over from in-vitro fertilization procedures. Guilford Representative Earl Jones says couples who seek the treatment have fertilized eggs left over that can only be kept viable for a limited time before they're destroyed.

Jones says the extra embryos should be used in research to help victims of Parkinsons disease, multiple sclerosis and other illnesses.

Wake Representative Marilyn Avila says any organism that has the potential to become a human being should be protected.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)