GOP Senators Vote To Outlaw Fetal Tissue Sales In Michigan

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - The Republican-controlled state Senate has approved legislation to make it illegal to pay someone to distribute or sell fetal tissue in Michigan.

Senators approved the pair of bills Wednesday in a 26-10 vote along party lines. Democrats say such payments already are illegal.

Republican bill sponsor Phil Pavlov of St. Clair told fellow lawmakers that the bills send a strong message that "baby parts are not for sale in Michigan."

Democrats offered up amendments that failed to get enough votes. They call the law unnecessary because they say it's already illegal. And they say the proposed law could shut down stem cell research by stopping employers from paying workers to transport fetal tissue to research facilities.

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