Wirwd

State laws may restrict some or all sources for embryonic stem cells or specifically permit certain activities. State laws on the issue vary widely. Approaches to stem cell research policy range from laws in California and New Jersey, which encourage embryonic stem cell research, including on cloned embryos, to South Dakota's law, which strictly forbids research on embryos regardless of the source. If, however, a fetus is aborted for the health of the mother in South Dakota, the fetus may be used for research purposes with maternal consent. Many states restrict research on aborted fetuses or embryos, but research is often permitted with consent of the patient. Almost half of the states also restrict the sale of fetuses or embryos. Louisiana is the only state that specifically prohibits research on IVF embryos. Illinois and Michigan also prohibit research on live embryos. Finally, Arkansas, Iowa, Michigan and North Dakota prohibit research on cloned embryos. Virginia's law also may ban research on cloned embryos, but the statute may leave room for interpretation because human being is not defined. Therefore, there may be disagreement about whether human being includes blastocysts, embryos or fetuses. California, New Jersey and Rhode Island also have human cloning laws, but these laws prohibit cloning only for the purpose of initiating a pregnancy, or reproductive cloning, but allow cloning for research. Missouri also forbids the use of state funds for reproductive cloning but not for cloning for the purpose of stem cell research, and Nebraska prohibits the use of state funds for embryonic stem cell research.