*While cloning people has made for interesting science fiction novels and movies, in reality, the concept is unthinkable,* Engler said. *It is morally and ethically wrong to experiment with human life.*
Speaking at a press conference in Lansing, the Governor said the four bills he signed do not prohibit scientific research or cell-based therapies. Also, the cloning of animals, regarded as a promising development for medical research and agriculture, will not be affected by the ban.
Senate Bill 864, the main bill in the package, was sponsored by Senator Loren Bennett (R-Canton). The bill prohibits an individual licensed or registered under the Public Health Code from engaging in or attempting to engage in human cloning and creates an administrative fine of $5 million for a health facility or agency that allows an individual to engage in human cloning in a facility owned or operated by the health facility or agency.
SB 864 also defines the term human cloning as *the use of human somatic cell nuclear transfer technology to produce a human embryo*; human embryo as *a human egg cell with a full genetic composition capable of differentiating and maturing into a complete human being*; and human somatic cell nuclear transfer as *transferring the nucleus of a human somatic cell into an egg cell from which the nucleus has been removed or rendered inert.*
House Bill 4846 was sponsored by Representative Kirk Profit (D-Ypsilanti). The bill amends the Public Health Code to prohibit all individuals from engaging in or attempting to engage in human cloning and provides for revocation of licensure for at least five years and a civil penalty of $10 million for licensees.
House Bill 4962 was sponsored by Representative Michelle McManus (R-Lake Leelanau). The bill amends the Michigan Penal Code to create a felony for an individual who intentionally engages or attempts to engage in human cloning and establishes penalties for the conviction of the felony as imprisonment for not more than 10 years and/or a fine of not more than $10 million.
House Bill 5430 was sponsored by Representative George Mans (D-Trenton). The bill creates The Human Cloning Funding Prohibition Act, which prohibits a person from using state funds to engage in or attempt to engage in human cloning and establishes a civil fine for violation of the Act of $10 million.
*This legislation boils down to one thing: Prohibiting the creation of human life for scientific research,* said Senator Bennett. *Human cloning is wrong now; it will be wrong five years from now; and wrong 100 years from now!*
Source: Office of Gov. John Engler