July 27, 2001

House Panel Passes Anti-Cloning Measure

The House Judiciary Committee July 24 passed a bill to prohibit both reproductive cloning and the use of somatic cell nuclear transfer technology to produce human embryos for research purposes. The bill (H.R. 2505) was introduced July 16 by Rep. Dave Weldon (R-Fla.) and is a revised version of a bill (H.R. 1644) he introduced in April [see Washington Highlights, May 4].

Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson praised the committee's action, saying "The bill is consistent with the Administration's view that the use of this cloning technique to create an embryo for reproduction or for research should not be permitted."

The House will consider H.R. 2505 during the week of July 30th. Reportedly, Rep. Jim Greenwood (R-Pa.) will be allowed to offer his bill (H.R. 2172) as an alternative to the Weldon bill. H.R. 2172 would prohibit the use of somatic cell nuclear transfer "with the intent to initiate a pregnancy" but would permit research to continue.

AAMC President Jordan J. Cohen, M.D. sent a letter July 26 to all members of the Energy and Commerce Committee urging them to support the Greenwood bill and reject the approach adopted in the Weldon bill. The AAMC letter expressed concern that a blanket prohibition on the use of somatic cell nuclear transfer "would have grave implications for future advances in medical research and human healing."

Information: Dave Moore, AAMC Office of Governmental Relations, 202-828-0525.