New Mexico Senate Approves Stem Cell Research Bill

SANTA FE (AP) – The state Senate has passed a bill to allow embryonic stem cell research in New Mexico.

The vote was 20-18 for the measure, which is endorsed by Gov. Bill Richardson. The bill now goes to the House.

The bill allows stem cell research on embryos at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center.

The embryos used in the research would be only those that otherwise would be destroyed at fertility clinics.

There already is research going on at UNM on adult stem cells. Supporters of the bill say embryonic stem cell research holds promise for curing a variety of diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

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