Pro-Life Bills Headed to Governor

Source: Bunny Chambers of Oklahoma Eagle Forum

Human Cloning Ban Clears House

OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation to ban human cloning easily cleared the Oklahoma House of Representatives today.

“This is an important measure that protects research but doesn’t compromise our morals,” said House Speaker Chris Benge , R-Tulsa.

“The idea that we would allow the creation of human embryos through cloning crosses an ethical line and violates our most basic values,” said state Rep. Pam Peterson , R-Tulsa.

House Bill 1114, by Peterson, makes it illegal “for any person or entity, public or private, to perform or attempt to perform human cloning; participate in an attempt to perform human cloning; ship, transfer, or receive the product of human cloning for any purpose;: and “import the product of human cloning for any purpose.”

The legislation would not restrict scientific research involving the use of nuclear transfer or other cloning techniques to produce molecules, DNA, cells, tissues, organs, plants, or animals.

“This legislation is carefully crafted to prevent cloning to create human lives while still allowing other forms of research,” Peterson said. “This is a common-sense measure that has received strong bipartisan support.”

House Bill 1114 passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives on an 83-0 vote today. The Senate quickly did the same and the measure now goes to Gov. Brad Henry for his signature.

Lamb, Senate Endorse Sanctity of Life

Oklahoma City—The Oklahoma State Senate approved two pro-life measures by Majority Floor Leader Todd Lamb on Friday , advancing both to the Governor’s desk.

House Bill 1595 prohibits a person from performing an abortion solely because of the sex of the child and creates the Statistical Reporting of Abortions Act, which requires physicians who perform abortions to report certain information to the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH). This legislation passed the Senate with a 35-9 vote.

House Bill 1114 prohibits human cloning in Oklahoma and makes it a misdemeanor to perform or attempt to perform human cloning. This piece of pro-life legislation passed the Senate unanimously.

Each bill received overwhelming bipartisan support from both chambers, which Lamb applauds saying the Legislature is standing up for Oklahoma values.

“ Oklahoma families across our state value the sanctity of life and chose to elect those who share this sacred ideal,” said Lamb. “Twenty-three countries throughout the world have already banned attempts to clone humans, and Oklahoma is the sixth state in our nation to ban human cloning. Life is too often taken for granted, and the Legislature has sent a message today that says we stand up for life and the protection of the unborn.”