Medical research continues to break new ground and make advances in the name of science and for the future benefit of those in ill health. However, some scientific endeavors – regardless of how good the intentions may be – push to explore areas that should remain unexplored.

Lawmakers in Ohio are eying safeguards that will help draw appropriate lines.

House Bill 171 is designed to initiate safeguards in place that prohibit any attempts at human cloning and the creation of human-animal hybrids.

The legislation would ban the transfer of nonhuman embryo into a human womb and the transfer of a human embryo into a nonhuman womb for the purposes of human cloning.

According to Ohio Rep. Andy Thompson, who held a press conference last week to discuss the controversial bill, human cloning devalues human life without any evidence of discernable results or scientific merit.

While stem cell research and other scientific endeavors opens new realms of possibilities for a myriad of treatments that could better life for countless individuals, this form of genetic engineering – in many people’s view – pushes the envelope beyond the limits of morality.

HB 171 bans human cloning in Ohio and restricts this type of scientific research. If the bill becomes law, violations could result in fines and imprisonment of up to five years.

Proponents of this research claim not only that the results could bring about breakthroughs in medical treatments, but also that there are many jobs at stake because of it. Supporters of the bill disagree, claiming that there are no jobs or research currently taking place that will be affected by this legislation.

Because each life has unlimited potential, innocent life must be defended, according to Thompson, who has stated that he is proud to stand in defense of innocent life and support the concept that certain scientific endeavors are not consistent with our most deeply held values.