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Summary and
Background
The Fetal Farming
Prohibition Act, S. 3504, would prohibit the solicitation or
acceptance of tissue from fetuses gestated for research purposes.
Specifically, it would prohibit the solicitation or acceptance of human fatal
tissue from a human pregnancy that was deliberately initiated to provide such
tissue as well as tissue or cells obtained from a human embryo or fetus that
was gestated in the uterus of a nonhuman. Scientists have not performed these
activities in the past and have not expressed an interest in doing so.
Major Provisions
S. 3504 would make it unlawful for any person or entity
involved or engaged in interstate commerce to:
- Solicit or knowingly
acquire, receive, or accept a donation of human fetal tissue knowing that
a human pregnancy was deliberately initiated to provided such tissue; or
- Knowingly acquire,
receive, or accept tissue or cells obtained from a human embryo or fetus
that was gestated in the uterus of a nonhuman animal.
Penalties for violations
would be the same as penalties for violating existing prohibitions related to
human fetal tissue.
Legislative History
S. 3504 was introduced by Senator Santorum and Senator
Brownback on June 13, 2006. On June 29, 2006, an agreement was reached to take
up, at a time determined by the Majority Leader in consultation with the
Democratic Leader, S. 3504 along with two other bills: 1) H.R. 810,
the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act; and 2) S. 2754, the Alternative
Pluripotent Stem Cell Therapies Enhancement Act. Floor debate on the three
bills is scheduled for July 17 and July 18. Debate will be limited to 12
hours, equally divided. Each bill will require 60 votes.
The House has not yet acted
on companion legislation to S. 3504 but is expected to do so.
Amendments
Under the consent agreement,
no amendments are in order.
Administration Position
The Bush Administration has
not yet issued a Statement of Administration Policy on S. 3504 but is
expected to support it.
