Sec. 19a-32d. Stem cell research: Definitions. Prohibition on human cloning. Disposition of embryos or embryonic stem cells following infertility treatment. Written consent required for donations. Emb - Connecticut Statutes

      Sec. 19a-32d. Stem cell research: Definitions. Prohibition on human cloning. Disposition of embryos or embryonic stem cells following infertility treatment. Written consent required for donations. Embryonic stem cell research authorized. Limitations. Regulations. Penalties. (a) As used in sections 19a-32d to 19a-32g, inclusive, and section 4-28e:

      (1) "Embryonic stem cell research oversight committee" means a committee established in accordance with the National Academies' Guidelines for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research, as amended from time to time.

      (2) "Cloning of a human being" means inducing or permitting a replicate of a living human being's complete set of genetic material to develop after gastrulation commences.

      (3) "Gastrulation" means the process immediately following the blastula state when the hollow ball of cells representing the early embryo undergoes a complex and coordinated series of movements that results in the formation of the three primary germ layers, the ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm.

      (4) "Embryonic stem cells" means cells created through the joining of a human egg and sperm or through nuclear transfer that are sufficiently undifferentiated such that they cannot be identified as components of any specialized cell type.

      (5) "Nuclear transfer" means the replacement of the nucleus of a human egg with a nucleus from another human cell.

      (6) "Eligible institution" means (A) a nonprofit, tax-exempt academic institution of higher education, (B) a hospital that conducts biomedical research, or (C) any entity that conducts biomedical research or embryonic or human adult stem cell research.

      (b) No person shall knowingly (1) engage or assist, directly or indirectly, in the cloning of a human being, (2) implant human embryos created by nuclear transfer into a uterus or a device similar to a uterus, or (3) facilitate human reproduction through clinical or other use of human embryos created by nuclear transfer. Any person who violates the provisions of this subsection shall be fined not more than one hundred thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both. Each violation of this subsection shall be a separate and distinct offense.

      (c) (1) A physician or other health care provider who is treating a patient for infertility shall provide the patient with timely, relevant and appropriate information sufficient to allow that person to make an informed and voluntary choice regarding the disposition of any embryos or embryonic stem cells remaining following an infertility treatment.

      (2) A patient to whom information is provided pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection shall be presented with the option of storing, donating to another person, donating for research purposes, or otherwise disposing of any unused embryos or embryonic stem cells.

      (3) A person who elects to donate for stem cell research purposes any human embryos or embryonic stem cells remaining after receiving infertility treatment, or unfertilized human eggs or human sperm shall provide written consent for that donation and shall not receive direct or indirect payment for such human embryos, embryonic stem cells, unfertilized human eggs or human sperm. Consent obtained pursuant to this subsection shall, at a minimum, conform to the National Academies' Guidelines for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research, as amended from time to time.

      (4) Any person who violates the provisions of this subsection shall be fined not more than fifty thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than five years, or both. Each violation of this subsection shall be a separate and distinct offense.

      (d) A person may conduct research involving embryonic stem cells, provided (1) the research is conducted with full consideration for the ethical and medical implications of such research, (2) the research is conducted before gastrulation occurs, (3) prior to conducting such research, the person provides documentation to the Commissioner of Public Health in a form and manner prescribed by the commissioner verifying: (A) That any human embryos, embryonic stem cells, unfertilized human eggs or human sperm used in such research have been donated voluntarily in accordance with the provisions of subsection (c) of this section, or (B) if any embryonic stem cells have been derived outside the state of Connecticut, that such stem cells have been acceptably derived as provided in the National Academies' Guidelines for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research, as amended from time to time, and (4) all activities involving embryonic stem cells are overseen by an embryonic stem cell research oversight committee.

      (e) The Commissioner of Public Health shall enforce the provisions of this section and may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, relating to the administration and enforcement of this section. The commissioner may request the Attorney General to petition the Superior Court for such order as may be appropriate to enforce the provisions of this section.

      (f) Any person who conducts research involving embryonic stem cells in violation of the requirements of subdivision (2) of subsection (d) of this section shall be fined not more than fifty thousand dollars, or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.

      (P.A. 05-149, S. 1; 05-272, S. 36; P.A. 08-80, S. 1.)

      History: P.A. 05-149 effective June 15, 2005; P.A. 05-272 added Subsec. (f) establishing penalty for conducting research involving embryonic stem cells in violation of Subsec. (d)(2), effective July 13, 2005; P.A. 08-80 amended Subsec. (a)(1) by substituting definition of "embryonic stem cell research oversight committee" for definition of "institutional review committee", amended Subsec. (c)(3) by specifying that consent obtained conform to the National Academies' Guidelines for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research, amended Subsec. (d)(3) by restructuring existing provisions and adding provision re embryonic stem cells derived outside the state shall have been acceptably derived as provided in the National Academies' Guidelines for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research, deleted former Subsec. (d)(4) and (5) re general research program and protocol, and added new Subsec. (d)(4) re oversight of all activities involving embryonic stem cells by an embryonic stem cell research oversight committee.