Supports Legislation that Distinguishes Between Reproductive And Therapeutic Use
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July 27, 2001 9:30am
WASHINGTON, Jul 27, 2001 /PRNewswire
via COMTEX/ -- After careful consideration of the ethical, medical and
scientific issues involved, the National Health Council today issued a
statement declaring that "it is critical to distinguish between reproductive
human cloning and therapeutic uses of cloning technology" when considering
legislation to regulate or ban cloning in the United States.
The Council endorses legislation
(H.R. 2608) introduced by Rep. James C. Greenwood (R-PA) prohibiting the
use of somatic cell nuclear transfer with the intent to cause a pregnancy,
but allowing the use of the technology for research purposes.
"Representative Greenwood's bill
is thoughtful and well-constructed, clearly and forcefully prohibiting
cloning for the purpose of creating a human being, a practice universally
seen as wrong," said Myrl Weinberg, president of the National Health Council.
"Most importantly," she continued, "it allows for the use of somatic cell
nuclear transfer technology for research that has the potential to treat
and cure a wide variety of diseases."
"The Council has compared the provisions
of Representative Greenwood's bill with the other bill pending in the House,"
said Paul Smedberg, the Council's director of governmental affairs. "Unlike
the alternative House bill, H.R. 2608 clearly makes the important distinction
between reproductive use of cloning technology and its therapeutic use."
The Council will also write to Rep.
Billy Tauzin (R-LA) and Rep. John Dingell (D-MI) to express support of
Rep. Greenwood's bill.
The National Health Council is a
private, nonprofit umbrella organization of more than 110 national health-related
organizations working to bring quality health care to all people for more
than 80 years. Its core membership includes nearly 50 of the nation's leading
patient-based organizations representing more than 100 million people with
chronic diseases and/or disabilities. Other Council members include professional
and membership associations, nonprofit organizations with an interest in
health, and major pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. The Council
provides a unique forum for diverse health-related groups to build consensus
with a focus on patients and their needs. For more information about the
National Health Council, visit the Council's Web site at HTTP://WWW.NATIONALHEALTHCOUNCIL.ORG.
NATIONAL HEALTH COUNCIL
July 2001
The National Health Council, which
represents the nation's leading patient organizations, believes reproductive
human cloning is irresponsible, unsafe and a misguided act. We agree with
the National Bioethics Advisory Commission (June 1997) that it is unacceptable
for anyone in the public or private sector, whether in a research or clinical
setting, to create a human child using somatic cell nuclear transfer technology.
However, it is critical to distinguish
between reproductive human cloning and therapeutic uses of cloning technology
that have enormous potential to treat human disease and repair damaged
tissue and organs. Current advances hold true promise for effectively treating
and/or possibly curing diseases such as diabetes, various cancers, Huntington's,
Alzheimer's disease, paralysis, heart disease and stroke, ALS and multiple
sclerosis.
The National Health Council is concerned
that broadly crafted legislation that attempts to ban reproductive human
cloning may prevent the therapeutic use of cloning technology and techniques.
This will hinder research and progress toward treating and curing deadly
and debilitating disease. Cloning legislation must allow the proper use
of human somatic cell nuclear transfer technology to produce molecules,
cells and tissues for research and therapeutic use, while outlawing the
implantation of cloned human embryos.
The issues related to cloning are
complex and require thorough consideration of the implications various
approaches aimed at banning the cloning of human beings might have on medical
research. Making reproductive human cloning unlawful must be done in a
way that does not deprive those suffering from debilitating chronic diseases,
potential relief and possible cures.
CONTACT: Chris
Paladino of the National Health Council, +1-202-973-0542,
URL:
HTTP://WWW.NATIONALHEALTHCOUNCIL.ORG
Copyright (C) 2001 PR Newswire
Source: PR Newswire
Statement on Human Cloning and Human Cloning
Legislation
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