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Monitoring Stem Cell Research 
2. Exceptions for Certain Research 
In some states, the ban on reproductive cloning is 
accompanied by language supporting other types of research or 
medical practices. In Louisiana and Michigan, for example, the 
cloning bans say that they do not prohibit scientific reseeurch on a 
cell-based therapy.'® Similarly, some states allow the use of nuclear 
transfer or other cloning techniques to produce molecules, DNA, cells 
other than human embryos, tissues, organs, plants, or animals other 
than humans.'^ The Arkansas and Rhode Island laws also 
specifically allow in vitro fertilization and fertility enhancing drugs, 
so long as they are not used in the context of human cloning.'® The 
Iowa law more broadly allows in vitro fertilization and the use of 
fertility drugs.'® 
3. Penalties 
The penalties for violation of existing cloning bans range 
widely. In Louisiana and Michigan, for example, penalties can be up 
to 10 years imprisonment and fines of $10 million for an entity such 
as a clinic or corporation and $5 million for an individual.^® In 
'® La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 1299.36.2(c); Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.430a(2). 
See , for example. Ark. Code § 20-16-1003(A); Iowa 707B.4(2); R.I. Gen 
Laws § 23-16.4-1 (specifically allows animal cloning in another section, R.I. 
Gen Laws. § 23-16.4-2(c)(l)(iii)). Virginia allows gene therapy, cloning of 
non-human animals, and cloning molecules, DNA, cells or tissue. Va. Code 
Ann. §32.1-162.22(6). 
'® Ark. Code § 20-16.1003(B); R.I. § 23-16.4-2(c)(2)(i). Rhode Island’s bill goes 
overboard in its hype about scientific progress. Rhode Island's preamble to 
its reproductive cloning ban states, “recent medical and technological 
advances have had tremendous benefit to patients, and society as a whole, 
and biomedical research for the purpose of scientific investigation of disease 
or cure of a disease or illness should be preserved and protected and not be 
impeded by regulations involving the cloning of an entire human being; 
and . . . molecular biology, involving human cells, genes, tissues, and organs, 
has been used to meet medical needs globally for twenty (20) years, and has 
proved a powerful tool in the search for cures, leading to effective medicines 
to treat cystic fibrosis, diabetes, heart attack, stroke, hemophilia, £uid 
mV/AIDS." R.I. Gen. Laws. § 23-16.4-1. 
Iowa Code § 707B.4(2). 
La. Rev. Stat. § 1299.36.3; Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.430(a)(3) (in Michigan 
even individuals too, can be fined up to $10 million.) Rhode Island has a 
penalty of $250,000 for individuals and $1 million for entities. R.I. Gen. Laws 
§ 23-16.4-3. 
PRE-PUBLICATION VERSION 
