Richmond, Va., Apr 2, 2009 / 22:49 pm
Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, on Monday signed a bill banning the use of some state funds for in-state research on human embryonic stem cells and cells or tissue derived from induced abortions.
The bill was part of legislation intended to promote “science and technology-based” research and development in Virginia, CNN’s Political Ticker reports. Virginia’s General Assembly inserted language that would prevent a state fund from financially supporting organizations or businesses that undertake “research in Virginia on human cells or tissue derived from induced abortions or from stem cells obtained from human embryos.”
Gov. Kaine will assume a full-time role as Democratic National Committee chairman after he leaves office in January. He was named chairman at the behest of President Barack Obama, who in March lifted President George W. Bush’s restrictions on federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research.
The platform of the Democratic Party advocates funding embryonic stem cell research. Describing it as “research that could save lives,” the platform argues the embryonic cells would otherwise be “discarded” and “lost forever.”