Boston – Lawmakers Thursday rejected Gov. Mitt Romney’s amendments to a stem-cell research bill – including a proposed ban on using cloned embryos for the purpose of obtaining stem cells to use in treating disease.
Another of the rejected changes would define the beginning of life as the moment of conception.
The bill defines it as the moment an embryo is implanted in the womb.
The Republican governor – who supports research using adult stem cells or leftover frozen embryos from fertility clinics – wanted to ban scientists from creating a cloned embryo to harvest stem cells to use to create tailor-made genetic cures.
The bill allows the practice, known as therapeutic cloning.
“If we are creating life to destroy it, then that is a dark road that we are starting down,” said Republican Rep. Richard Ross, who supported Romney’s changes.
Opponents argued the governor’s proposed changes would gut the bill – and that embryonic stem-cell research could transform Massachusetts into a center for cutting-edge research into the cure and treatment of diabetes, Parkinson’s and spinal- cord injuries.
“Our job is to look at this issue, do the best we can and do this in a thoughtful manner. We have done that with this bill,” said Democratic Rep. Daniel Bosley.
Both chambers approved the legislation earlier, but Romney sent it back last week, urging them to make dramatic changes and vowing not to sign it into law if his amendments weren’t accepted.
A final procedural vote in the House and Senate sent the bill to Romney’s desk Thursday night.
A spokeswoman for Romney said earlier that he intends to veto the bill because it contains “serious flaws and crosses serious ethical boundaries.”
Other rejected amendments would have banned all production by conventional fertilization of human embryos for research, and limited compensation to women who donate their eggs to reimbursement for transportation and medical services expenses.
Two states – California and New Jersey – allow therapeutic cloning.
California voters approved a plan last year to spend up to $3 billion over the next decade to foster the research.
