Des Moines, Iowa – On a 52-46 vote, the Iowa House approved the Iowa Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative on Thursday night. The bill upholds Iowa’s ban on human cloning while allowing stem cell research that holds great potential for curing diseases like diabetes, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and heart disease.

“The Iowa House took a historic step tonight and offered hope to million of Americans suffering from cancer, spinal cord injuries or diabetes,” said State Representative Lisa Heddens of Ames, who managed the bill in the Iowa House. “The stem cell research bill we passed tonight keeps the ban on human cloning but does not shut the door on important research that has the potential to save lives.”

Researchers say the stem cell research that can occur after the bill becomes law offers great hope because the cells are a genetic match to the patient, which means the cells won’t be rejected by the immune system. They also say the research helps gain new insight on the development of diseases and are more flexible, live longer in experiments and provide greater potential to cure disease.

“Iowans searching for treatments and cures for debilitating conditions should not have to leave the state to get help,” added Heddens. “We have world- renowned, responsible scientists in Iowa who believe stem cell research can improve lives.”

The bill approved by the House, Senate File 162, keeps Iowa’s ban on human cloning but allows stem cell research, or somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). Under the bill, human reproductive cloning will still be a class C felony which is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.