§ 20-8-502 - Legislative findings. - Arkansas Statutes

20-8-502. Legislative findings.

The General Assembly finds that:

(1) More than one hundred million (100,000,000) Americans and two billion (2,000,000,000) other humans worldwide suffer from diseases that may eventually be treated more effectively or even cured with stem cells;

(2) Stem cell research has been hampered by the controversy over the use of embryonic stem cells;

(3) Stem cells are not found only in embryos;

(4) The umbilical cord, placenta, and amniotic fluid are rich in stem cells that may be used for scientific research and medical treatment without destroying embryos;

(5) Stem cell research using stem cells from postnatal tissue and fluid has already resulted in treatments for anemia, leukemia, lymphoma, lupus, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, sickle cell disease, spinal cord injury, and Crohn's disease;

(6) Stem cell therapies using stem cells from postnatal tissue and fluid are being studied for diseases as wide-ranging and diverse as corneal degeneration, heart disease, stroke, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease;

(7) It is the public policy of this state to encourage the donation, collection, and storage of stem cells collected from postnatal tissue and fluid and to make such stem cells available for both scientific research and medical treatment; and

(8) It shall be the public policy of this state to encourage ethical research in life science and regenerative medicine.