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Summary of AAMC Statement on Cloning

We agree with the American public that the cloning of human beings should not proceed at this time. All responsible scientists and physicians find the prospect of attempting to produce human clones by somatic cell nuclear transfer -- or any other technology -- abhorrent.

We have grave concerns that any legislation that bans outright a specific scientific technology or area of scientific inquiry will have an extremely chilling effect on future progress in biomedical research and human healing.

The terms "cloning" and "somatic cell nuclear transfer" are not synonymous. Somatic cell nuclear transfer is just one technique that can be used for cloning.

The cloning of DNA molecules and individual cells has become commonplace, while the cloning of individual plants and animals is carried out in both research and commercial settings. However, the use of somatic cell nuclear transfer technology to attempt to clone human beings is utterly unappealing scientifically, as well as being morally repugnant.

At the present time, the ability to use adult cells as donors in somatic cell nuclear transfer technology to produce a live-born, cloned animal has not been proved. The experiment reported by Dr. Wilmut can only be considered an anecdote and not an established scientific fact.

It is important to recognize that somatic cell nuclear transfer technology has many exciting and potentially enormously important applications in research, medicine, and industry, including the cloning of genetically engineered animals that produce large quantities of pharmaceutical agents, or producing genetically engineered human cell cultures that would serve as "therapeutic tissues" in the treatment of currently intractable human diseases.

We will never see the fulfillment of any of these promises if we choose to take the perilous path of banning the use of somatic cell nuclear transfer technology -- or any other scientific technologies or areas of scientific inquiry -- through legislation.

The United States has never banned an area of scientific exploration or a scientific technology by federal legislation. Far preferable in our judgment is an organized, self-imposed moratorium, backed by appropriate regulatory oversight.

The experience with recombinant DNA technology -- which involved a self-imposed nationwide moratorium with stringent guidelines and regulatory safeguards developed through a painstakingly deliberative process -- demonstrates it is possible to protect the public's interests while fostering scientific and medical progress without legislative bans.

We strongly believe that the self-imposed nationwide five-year moratorium on the cloning of human beings, which has already been adopted by every relevant medical research organization and industry association, buttressed by appropriate regulations enforced by the FDA and other federal agencies, is the appropriate and much preferred course of action.