Human-Animal Chimera Prohibition Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-3542
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]
Introduced: 2021-05-25
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Animal protection and human-animal relationships

Cell biology and embryology

Civil actions and liability

Genetics

Medical research

Research administration and funding
Latest action: action_date: 2022-11-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Summaries:
action_date: 2021-05-25
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>Human-Animal Chimera Prohibition Act of 2021</strong></p> <p>This bill establishes new federal crimes related to conduct involving certain types of human-animal chimeras. The term <em>human-animal chimera</em> means an organism that, from an early stage of development, contains human and nonhuman parts.</p> <p>This bill makes is unlawful to </p> <ul> <li>create or attempt to create a prohibited human-animal chimera,</li> <li>transfer or attempt to transfer a human embryo into a nonhuman womb,</li> <li>transfer or attempt to transfer a nonhuman embryo into a human womb, or</li> <li>transport or receive for any purpose a prohibited human-animal chimera.</li> </ul> <p>A violator is subject to civil and criminal penalties.<br> </p>

tv_txt: I 117th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3542 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 25, 2021 Mr. Smith of New Jersey (for himself, Mr. Harris , Mrs. Fischbach , Mr. Babin , Mr. Jackson , Mr. Bilirakis , Mr. Steube , Mr. Kelly of Mississippi , Mr. Davidson , Mr. Aderholt , Mr. Gohmert , Mr. Crawford , Mr. Johnson of Ohio , Mr. Roy , Mr. Fortenberry , Mr. Weber of Texas , Mr. Good of Virginia , and Mr. Van Drew ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit certain types of human-animal chimeras.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Human-Animal Chimera Prohibition Act of 2021 . 2. Prohibition on certain human-animal chimeras Part I of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after chapter 51 the following: 52 Certain Types of Human-Animal Chimeras Prohibited Sec. 1131. Definitions. 1132. Prohibition on certain human-animal chimeras. 1131. Definitions In this chapter the following definitions apply: (1) Prohibited human-animal chimera The term prohibited human-animal chimera means— (A) a human embryo into which a nonhuman cell or cells (or the component parts thereof) have been introduced to render the embryo’s membership in the species Homo sapiens uncertain; (B) a human-animal embryo produced by fertilizing a human egg with nonhuman sperm; (C) a human-animal embryo produced by fertilizing a nonhuman egg with human sperm; (D) an embryo produced by introducing a nonhuman nucleus into a human egg; (E) an embryo produced by introducing a human nucleus into a nonhuman egg; (F) an embryo containing at least haploid sets of chromosomes from both a human and a nonhuman life form; (G) a nonhuman life form engineered such that human gametes develop within the body of a nonhuman life form; (H) a nonhuman life form engineered such that it contains a human brain or a brain derived wholly or predominantly from human neural tissues; (I) a nonhuman life form engineered such that it exhibits human facial features or other bodily morphologies to resemble human features; or (J) an embryo produced by mixing human and nonhuman cells, such that— (i) human gametes develop within the body of the resultant organism; (ii) it contains a human brain or a brain derived wholly or predominantly from human neural tissues; or (iii) it exhibits human facial features or other bodily morphologies to resemble human features. (2) Human embryo The term human embryo means an organism of the species Homo sapiens during the earliest stages of development, from 1 cell up to 8 weeks. 1132. Prohibition on certain human-animal chimeras (a) In general It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly, in or otherwise affecting interstate commerce— (1) create or attempt to create a prohibited human-animal chimera; (2) transfer or attempt to transfer a human embryo into a nonhuman womb; (3) transfer or attempt to transfer a non­human embryo into a human womb; or (4) transport or receive for any purpose a prohibited human-animal chimera. (b) Penalties (1) In general Whoever violates subsection (a) shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both. (2) Civil penalty Whoever violates subsection (a) and derives pecuniary gain from such violation shall be subject to a civil fine of the greater of $1,000,000 and an amount equal to the amount of the gross gain multiplied by 2. (c) Rule of construction This section does not prohibit research involving the use of transgenic animal models containing human genes or transplantation of human organs, tissues, or cells into recipient animals, if such activities are not prohibited under subsection (a). . 3. Technical amendment The table of chapters for part I of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to chapter 51 the following: 52. Certain types of human-animal chimeras prohibited. .