Washington, D.C., February 5, 2003 - Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) President Jordan J. Cohen, M.D., issued the following statement in support of cloning legislation introduced in the Senate today by Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Arlen Specter (R-PA), Ted Kennedy (D-MA), and Tom Harkin (D-IA):

"The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) strongly endorses the 'Human Cloning Ban and Stem Cell Research Protection Act of 2003,' and applauds the sponsors for their leadership in support of medical research that will improve the health of all Americans.

While our association views human reproductive cloning as unethical and unconscionable, we believe it is important to recognize, as this bill does, the difference between reproductive cloning and the scientific potential of therapeutic cloning and regenerative medicine. This legislation will allow potentially life-saving research to move forward.

We also recognize the significant ethical issues that are raised about embryonic stem cell research, and we respect the view of those who oppose such research, including some in our own medical school community. However, we are persuaded otherwise by what we believe is an equally compelling ethical consideration, namely, the unique potential afforded by embryonic stem cells, to alleviate human suffering and enhance the quality of human life.

The current opportunities in medical research are unparalleled in our nation's history. Among them is the further study and application of both adult and embryonic stem cell technologies. The production of stem cells by nuclear transplantation may yet prove the most powerful and widely beneficial of all. However, we will never see the fulfillment of any of this promise if we choose to take the perilous and unprecedented path of banning, through legislation, research on nuclear transplantation to produce stem cells."

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The Association of American Medical Colleges is a not-for-profit association representing all 129 accredited U.S. and 17 accredited Canadian medical schools; nearly 400 major teaching hospitals and health systems, including 68 Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers; and 94 academic and scientific societies. Through these institutions and organizations, the AAMC represents 109,000 faculty members, 67,000 medical students, and 104,000 resident physicians. Additional information about the AAMC and U.S. medical schools and teaching hospitals is available at www.aamc.org/newsroom.

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