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----FYI-- Charlotte Mancuso Davis signs Calif. bills on gun safety, embryonic stem cells ANNA OBERTHUR, Associated Press Writer Thursday, September 25, 2003 --------------------------------- (09-25) 02:14 PDT SACRAMENTO (AP) -- California will become the first state in the nation to require guns to have two new safety devices under a bill signed by Gov. Gray Davis. Davis also signed two bills designed to encourage embryonic stem cell research and boost the state's biotech industry, ...snip... The stem cell bills, authored by Sen. Deborah Ortiz, D-Sacramento, require the Department of Health Services to establish guidelines addressing the legal and ethical concerns about the research, establish a registry of embryos available for study and strengthen the informed consent laws for the donation of embryos. ...snip... The stem cell research legislation Davis signed is intended to "promote stem cell research in a responsible manner," bill author Ortiz said at the UC Davis Medical Center. Ortiz said the legislation is intended to face up to Republican attempts to restrict research. Embryonic stem cells are undifferentiated, and can develop into specialized cells. Many scientists believe examining their ability to divide and specialize can help researchers find cures for life-threatening diseases. federally funded research has been opposed by President Bush. The president, with the support of religious and anti-abortion groups, pointed to the ethical and legal uncertainties in the new field. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn