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I have read the attachment to my original msg, as well as the web page you cited, which gives the bill's text. Although it seems clear to me that the bill does not prohibit therapeutic cloning, I'm not too comfortable that it can be interpretted otherwise by others. I'll try to clarify my position as follows: Sec 301 defines "human cloning" as asexual reproduction involving the transfer of nuclear material.....'so as to produce a living organism..' which evidently means embryo. This definition, then, does not address therapeutic cloning. Sec 301 defines "asexual reproduction" by relating it to oocyte and sperm reproduction, which clearly results in an embryo. Again, therapeutic cloning is not addressed. Sec 302 (b) is quoted: "IMPORTATION- It shall be unlawful for any person or entity, public or private, knowingly to import for any purpose an embryo produced by human cloning or any product derived from such embryo." Sec 302 (d) is quoted: "(d) SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH- Nothing in this section restricts areas of scientific research not specifically prohibited by this section, including research in the use of nuclear transfer or other cloning techniques to produce molecules, DNA, cells other than human embryos, tissues, organs, plants, or animals other than humans." This section clearly permits all the listed products, except human embryos or product derived therefrom. Thus, it appears that H.R. 534 does not prohibit therapeutic cloning. Please respond with a concurrence with, or a rebuttal to, my position per this msg. I do not wish to mislead anyone on this very important -- even critical -- issue. Thanks. Stan Boswell PSGSanta Maria (CA) The following was extracted from the http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c108:H.R.534 1) HUMAN CLONING- The term `human cloning' means human asexual reproduction, accomplished by introducing nuclear material from one or more human somatic cells into a fertilized or unfertilized oocyte whose nuclear material has been removed or inactivated so as to produce a living organism (at any stage of development) that is genetically virtually identical to an existing or previously existing human organism.`(2) ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION- The term `asexual reproduction' means reproduction not initiated by the union of oocyte and sperm.`(3) SOMATIC CELL- The term `somatic cell' means a diploid cell (having a complete set of chromosomes) obtained or derived from a living or deceased human body at any stage of development In a message dated 2/21/2003 10:30:20 PM Pacific Standard Time, [log in to unmask] writes: > http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c108:H.R.534 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn