Rep. Noujaim Opposes Use of Embryos for Stem Cell Research
Legislator’s Proposed Amendment to Stem Cell Bill Fails in Committee

HARTFORD- State Representative Selim Noujaim (R-Waterbury), Ranking Member of the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Commerce addressed the committee today as it examined legislation that would allow for stem cell research that would be subsidized by state funds.

The legislation, Committee Bill 5912, An Act Promoting Stem Cell Research in the State, advances embryonic, adult and umbilical cord stem cell research. Representative Noujaim was joined by Representative Sean Williams (R-Watertown) in offering an amendment to the bill which would have allowed for adult and umbilical cord stem cell research, but not embryonic.

“If we are to favorably act upon this legislation today, we will be approving state subsidized embryonic stem cell research,” said Representative Noujaim, as he addressed the committee members. “This is something that should not be taken lightly. We have the obligation to our constituents, as well as to all the residents of our state to carefully consider what we are approving in this committee and I believe that embryonic stem cell research is not morally acceptable.”

Representative Noujaim’s amendment failed in a vote of 14-6. The committee then proceeded to vote in favor of the bill as written, including embryonic stem cell research. The bill will now proceed to the Judiciary Committee for review there.