|
 |
AAMC Supports H.R. 2608: "The Cloning Prohibition Act of
2001"
|
|
Jordan J. Cohen, M.D., President
Association of American Medical Colleges
July 30, 2001
For Immediate Release
"I am pleased to join with Congressmen Greenwood and Deutch and
their colleagues to state the Association of American Medical College's
strong support for H.R. 2608, the "Cloning Prohibition Act of 2001."
This bill would permit life-saving research of unprecedented potential
to continue, but prohibit the use of somatic cell nuclear transfer
'to initiate a pregnancy or with the intent to initiate a pregnancy.'
Let me be clear: the Association strongly opposes human reproductive
cloning. We believe it would not only be extremely risky, but wrong.
Attempting to produce a human clone is simply unacceptable, period.
However, a critical distinction must be made between reproductive
cloning and the use of somatic cell nuclear transfer technology
that does not create a human clone. A critical distinction because
non-reproductive, or what is known as therapeutic, cloning technology
has truly remarkable, life-saving potential for the treatment of
incurable human diseases. Therapeutic uses of somatic cell nuclear
transfer technology does not lead to a human clone.
We urge Congress to reject the heavy-handed approach embodied in
H.R. 2505, the "Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 2001" authored
by Congressman Weldon. Make no mistake, H.R. 2505 would, in the
guise of prohibiting human cloning, shut down completely vital areas
of research that offer the only real hope for many Americans, and
for human beings everywhere."
# # #
Contact: Retha Sherrod
202-828-0975
rsherrod@aamc.org
|
