S 1601 -- 02/09/98
February 9, 1998
(Senate) |
|
On June 9, 1997, the President transmitted to Congress legislation making
it illegal for anyone to create a human being through cloning. The
President believes that using somatic cell nuclear transfer cloning
techniques to create a human being is untested, unsafe, and morally
unacceptable. The Administration, however, believes S. 1601, as
introduced, is too far-reaching because it would prohibit important
biomedical research aimed at preventing and treating serious and
life-threatening diseases. Therefore, the Administration would not support
passage of the bill in its current form. The Administration looks
forward to working with the Congress to address these concerns.
Specifically, the Administration supports amendments to S. 1601 that would:
The President's proposal, which in many ways is reflected in S. 1602 sponsored by Senators Feinstein and Kennedy, would prohibit any attempt to create a human being using somatic cell nuclear transfer, provide for further review of the ethical and scientific issues associated with the use of somatic cell nuclear transfer, and protect important biomedical research.
|