Catch Them Doing Good

Here are some positive news from the states to help balance the discouraging stories of these past few months:

Montana: The Senate has passed a bill that protects all persons' rights; "person means a human being at all stages of human development of life, including the state of fertilization or conception, regardless of age, health, level of functioning, or condition of dependency."

Oklahoma: The House passed a bill that would make it illegal to conduct research that would harm or kill an unborn child, including embryonic stem-cell research. House legislators also passed a bill granting more than $1 million to adult stem cell research.

Indiana: After ADF filed a suit in court, the state Bureau of Motor Vehicles decided to reverse a ban on religious messages on personalized license plates.

Mississippi: The House passed a bill that prohibits the University of Mississippi from using state money for research that destroys human embryos.

Texas: The legislature is considering a bill that would coordinate and regulate adult stem cell research. It would also seek funding and direct grants to institutions around the state doing adult stem cell research, including the allocation of about $5 million a year to this ethical alternative.