BOSTON -- Rep. Peter Koutoujian remembers sitting in a hearing room a year ago listening to Travis Roy describe how his mother cried herself to sleep worrying about her son, who was paralyzed playing hockey.

He recalls the handful of children with juvenile diabetes who he says were mature beyond their age because they'd never really had a chance to be kids.

And he thinks about the mother confined to a wheelchair whose dream was to walk again.

"These were all powerful examples of the possibility and potential of stem cell research," said the Waltham Democrat. "All they said was they wanted a chance."

That's why the chairman of the House Health Care Committee is filing legislation that authorizes embryonic stem cell research in the state but bans reproductive cloning. The bill does not provide any state money for the effort.

The legislation will be taken up when the Legislature convenes next year.

"Every piece of scientific evidence suggests that this is the best hope to cure so much disease and health so much trauma," Koutoujian said.

The legislation is necessary, supporters say, because the current law defining an embryo is vague and arguably prohibits the research in the state even though a handful of companies and academic institutions in Massachusetts already are conducting stem cell research.

Stem cells are tiny, undifferentiated cells found in human embryos, the blood from newborns' umbilical cords, and some adult tissues. Researchers are particularly interested in embryonic stem cells because they are thought to have much greater developmental potential than adult stem cells.

According to the National Institute of Health, embryonic stem cells have the potential to develop into many different cell types in the body such as a muscle cell, a red blood cell, or a brain cell.

Scientists say it could lead to the treatment of such conditions as Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, diabetes and paralysis.

At a time when California is investing $3 billion into stem cell research, supporters say Massachusetts must make an attempt to keep the business here.

Passing legislation endorsing embryonic stem cell research is a start, said Stephen Mulloney, director of policy and public affairs for the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council. Mulloney said two for-profit companies and a few academic institutions such as Harvard Medical School and Children's Hospital are among those conducting research.

"Our science is very strong and stacks up favorably against any centers in the world but we want to maintain our competitive edge," Mulloney said. "I think we can do that by passing positive support language. That sends a message that Massachusetts is open for business."

The council supports embryonic stem cell research but opposes human cloning.

Other lawmakers are eager to hear the debate.

"It's something I would tend to support," said Sen. Robert Antonioni, D-Leominster. "I think it's an opportunity for us to address many illnesses and chronic diseases that would otherwise be beyond our reach."

However, despite the potential health and economic benefits, lawmakers say it could be a while before the Legislature acts on stem cell legislation.

There are critics who say it's wrong to destroy embryos that have been grown in the course of fertility treatments for scientific research because they could be developed into fetuses. Anti-abortion groups such as the Massachusetts Citizens for Life oppose stem cell research, for example.

Rep. Emile Goguen, D-Fitchburg, said he hasn't made up his mind. He has ethical concerns because he is pro-life but is willing to listen the arguments.

"I'd like to see more research on it," Goguen said. "Some say it's good and some say it isn't. I'd like to have doctors and researchers come in and testify about why they want it."

Antonioni is also opposed to abortion but does not think his support of stem cell research is in conflict with that position.

"My position is we shouldn't be promoting abortion in any way, shape or form but we can't close our eyes to the opportunities that may present themselves," he said. "Sometimes you look at some of this stuff in a limited way and I'm not sure that's a good thing. The idea of stem cell research is something I support because we've got to promote the interest of the living and that's a part of being pro-life."

In the past year, the state Senate made two failed attempts to endorse embryonic stem cell research. While Senate President Robert Travaglini, D-East Boston, welcomes the research, former House Speaker Thomas Finneran, D-Mattapan, balked.

Finneran has since changed his position and is now the president of the Mass Bio Tech Council.

Finneran's high-profile appointment to the council and his decision to resign from the Legislature has given new life to the legislation. And House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi, D-Boston, said this week he endorses the research.