SJ0004 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SJ0004 LRB095 09821 KBJ 30032 r

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois recognizes that the human embryo is a stage of human life; and

WHEREAS, Human lives are not objects to be manipulated and destroyed for research purposes; and

WHEREAS, Human embryonic stem cell research necessitates the dismemberment and destruction of human embryos; and

WHEREAS, Adult stem cell, umbilical cord blood, and amniotic material research have far exceeded early expectations and continue to yield successful and promising treatments and cures, and are significant and better research alternatives to destructive embryonic stem cell research; and

WHEREAS, Scientists are making further impressive progress on new techniques, such as fusion regeneration and parthenogenesis, that represent non-destructive alternatives to sacrificing human life; and

WHEREAS, Human embryonic stem cell research is contrary to the dignity and sanctity of each individual person as a fertilized egg, which combines the essential genetic materials that define and individualize human identity; and

WHEREAS, Citizens face an age of powerful and exciting advances in biotechnology and must ensure and support technical advances that will not demean our very humanity, but will serve to uphold the right to life as well as to heal; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that that the State of Illinois is committed to supporting non-destructive stem cell research.