Sen. Latz Argues Against Restrictions on Stem Cell Research

Sen. Ron Latz (DFL-District 44), of St. Louis Park, argued against a new bill on Wednesday that would make human cloning a crime in Minnesota.

Latz said he was specifically worried that the proposal, which is wrapped up in the state's health and human services omnibus package, would effectively put a halt to therapeutic stem cell research—something the legislator said is vitally important.

"If it was your own 3-year-old daughter whose life would be saved," Latz said, "because doctors could create tissue identical to her heart tissue ... wouldn't that give you pause?"

The St. Louis Park legislator then voiced his support of an amendment to the bill offered by Sen. John Marty (DFL-District 54) that would prevent such research from being a crime. (Editor's Note: See Latz's full discussion on the issue by clicking on the attached video to the right).

Proponents of the bill say it would still allow research to occur, but just in a more ethical manner.