ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Bills introduced in the Minnesota Legislature would ban sex-selection abortions and human cloning in the state.

Advocates of banning sex-selection abortions say new technologies are making it possible to determine the sex of a child within weeks of conception.

The cloning ban also would apply to embryonic clones for use in stem cell research.

Republicans are sponsoring the bills. Last year, language that would have prevented state funding of sex-based abortions passed the Minnesota House, but the new bill would ban the practice altogether.

The bill creates penalties for doctors who perform the procedure. A representative of Planned Parenthood of Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota says the bill would limit choices for women seeking abortions.

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Information from: St. Paul Pioneer Press, http://www.twincities.com

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)