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2012 SESSION

12104201D
HOUSE BILL NO. 1162
Offered January 16, 2012
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 5.1 of Title 32.1 a section numbered 32.1-162.20:1, relating to research on human embryos; penalty.
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Patrons-- Cline, Bell, Richard P., Byron, Cole, Dudenhefer, Fariss, Johnson, Marshall, D.W., Massie, Merricks, O'Quinn, Pogge, Putney, Webert and Wilt
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Referred to Committee on Rules
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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 5.1 of Title 32.1 a section numbered 32.1-162.20:1 as follows:

§ 32.1-162.20:1. Research on human embryos prohibited; penalty.

A. No person shall conduct nontherapeutic research that destroys a human embryo or subjects such embryo to substantial risk of injury or death.

B. No person shall sell or transfer a human embryo with the knowledge that the embryo will be subjected to nontherapeutic research.

C. No person shall use for research purposes any cells or tissues derived in violation of this section.

D. A violation of this section is a Class 1 misdemeanor.

E. For the purposes of this section:

"Human embryo" means a living organism of the species Homo sapiens at the earliest stages of development, including the single-cell stage, that is not located in a woman's body; and

"Nontherapeutic research" means research that is not intended to help preserve the life and health of the particular embryo subjected to risk. It does not include in vitro fertilization and accompanying embryo transfer to a woman's body or any diagnostic test which may assist in the future care of a child subjected to such tests as an embryo.