DEPOSITION

California's Proposition 71:
Deposition in Lawsuit Regarding Impact of Ballot Initiative

In November 2004, California voters will face a ballot initiative called Proposition 71. It would require the state to borrow $3 billion to fund research using human embryonic stem cells -- including cells derived from "somatic cell nuclear transfer."

Opposing the initiative, the Doctors, Patients & Taxpayers for Fiscal Responsibility coalition pointed out (among other things) that it would fund "human embryo cloning." The initiative's supporters sued the coalition for making the "false or misleading statement" that somatic cell nuclear transfer is cloning. But on August 4, a superior court judge rejected this charge and allowed opponents' argument to stand.

Here is a key deposition in the case, submitted by cell biologist Stuart Newman, Ph.D.

For more information on Proposition 71 see http://www.noonprop71.org.

To see the deposition, click here.