Rhode Island

RHODE ISLAND LAW permits stem cell research yet explicitly bans the use of embryonic stem cells for human cloning. As of 2007, the state was in the process of discussing a bill that would allow the harvest of embryonic stem cells from discarded embryos created for purposes of in vitro fertilization.

In 2005, when the United States Senate passed a bill that would expand federal funding for research on adult stem cells, which was subsequently altered in the House of Representatives to exclude embryonic stem cell research, Rhode Island Democratic representative James Langevin supported the bill. Representative Langevin himself is unable to walk because of a spinal cord injury he received when he was 16 years old.

Senate hopefuls in 2006 argued extensively over stem cell research. ...