Parliament is not being asked to cross the Rubicon today . Opposition to the bill was based upon the belief that stem cell research will lead to human cloning. Cloning leads to the creation of an embryo that will develop into a newborn. Stem cell research removes an embryo's stem cells, thereby destroying an embryo. These cells are then used to develop the tissue of a single organ.
Stem cells are incapable of inducing a pregnancy and resulting in the birth of a newborn.
Under the bill, human cloning will remain illegal. Effective 2001-APR, marriage and adoption in the Netherlands will be open to both heterosexual and homosexual couples. This is the first country in recent history to have legalized gay and lesbian marriages. The bills were strongly opposed by a number of Christian religious parties who felt that the bills attack marriage between one woman and one man. The bills were strongly approved by religious liberals and groups promoting equality justice and opportunities for gays and lesbians.