LABORATORIES, AND LABORATORIES OF DEMOCRACY
New Jersey has become the second state (after California) to pass a bill explicitly protecting medical research on embryonic stem cells, including those created through therapeutic cloning. The governor is expected to sign the bill, which faced vehment opposition from conservatives who believe zygotes are people. Thanks to one of those opponents for the tip. Research cell cloning is shaping up to be just as big a test of federalism--and conservatives' devotion to it--as gay marriage.