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Ervin McCarthy ----- Original Message ----- From: "Senator Debbie Stabenow" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Sunday, October 06, 2002 8:28 PM Subject: Re: Oppose SCNT Ban! > > > > October 6, 2002 > > > > Ervin McCarthy > 7000 Cooley Lake Road > White Lake, Michigan 48383 > > > Thank you . . . > > . . for contacting me regarding cloning. This is a very complex issue > and I appreciate hearing from you. > > With new medical breakthroughs, this is an exciting time in which we live. > I believe policy makers have a responsibility to thoroughly examine the > ethical, philosophical, and scientific consequences of these new > developments. While encouraging positive discoveries, I do want to ensure > appropriate restrictions on unethical or potentially dangerous research. > > I have always opposed human reproductive cloning. I believe that > reproductive cloning is morally reprehensible and I will continue to > oppose this process. The worldwide scientific community shares my concern > and recognizes a self-imposed moratorium against research for reproductive > cloning. > > However, a recent scientific discovery in the process of "Somatic Cell > Nuclear Therapy (SCNT)" has been confused with reproductive cloning. > These two processes are very different. Reproductive cloning is an > attempt to create a duplicate human being. SCNT is a scientific process > that uses donated cellular tissue from a patient to help cure that person > of a disease like Parkinson's disease or heart disease, without the threat > of rejection that can occur in other procedures. The possibilities for > cures that could be derived from this research range from diabetes to > cancer to spinal cord injuries. > > Earlier this year, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a broad ban on > reproductive cloning that would also prohibit continued work on SCNT and > other valuable research. While I firmly believe that the ban on > reproductive cloning must continue, it should not be confused with SCNT > research that can help many patients suffering from terrible diseases. For > these reasons, I will support a ban on cloning that does not include a ban > on SCNT. > > Since the recent breakthroughs in SCNT, several new pieces of legislation > have been introduced that would address the issue of human cloning. > Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Sam Brownback (R-KS), and Ben Nighthorse > Campbell (R-CO) each have a bill pending that would ban reproductive > cloning. These bills have been referred to the various Senate Committees > that have jurisdiction over this issue. Should any of these come before me > for a vote, I will certainly keep your concerns in mind. > > Thank you for taking the time to share your views with me. As always, > please don't hesitate to contact me whenever I can be of assistance. > > > Sincerely, > Debbie Stabenow > United States Senator > > > > > > > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn