OKLAHOMA CITY – Research requiring the destruction of unborn children would be illegal under legislation approved yesterday, March 12th, by the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
House Bill 1326, by state Rep. Mike Reynolds, makes it illegal for any Oklahoma business to conduct research that would kill a human embryo or subject an unborn child to a substantial risk of death or injury.
“For me personally, this is the single-most important issue we deal with as legislators: protecting the right to life,” said Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City. “The idea that we should condone the harvesting of children for ‘well intentioned’ research runs counter to all morality. Human embryos are human beings and the state cannot condone their destruction for research purposes.”
“The inalienable right to life is fundamental to all our liberties as Americans,” said Rep. Pam Peterson, R-Tulsa. “Protecting that right means we must protect all citizens, and that includes the most innocent lives: unborn children.”
“There are different stages of life and the first stage of life – an embryo – deserves protection and respect just as much as other children, adults, and the elderly,” said state Rep. Sally Kern, R-Oklahoma City.
House Bill 1326 passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives on an 82-6 vote. It now proceeds to the state Senate.
