 |
 |
Cloning: What's Stopping us? Law (Part 2 of 3) Ivanhoe Broadcast News Last Updated: October 06, 2004 ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Broadcast News, Inc.) -- Scientists say therapeutic cloning could be the answer for more than 100 million Americans with a variety of illnesses. Many politicians want to ban it completely. Here's a look into the legal battle surrounding cloning. When Kevin Hoagland was 18, a wrestling match with his brother changed life as he knew it. "I fell the wrong way and in an instant, I knew something was wrong," he says. For nearly 30 years, Hoagland has been waiting for science to move forward. "My ultimate wish is that whatever cure they find will alleviate any of this paralysis from ever happening, or if it does, it's real short term." Scientists say therapeutic cloning could be the answer. It could reverse paralysis, and help many other people with diseases like Parkinson's and diabetes. The research has stirred great hope ... and great controversy. Congressman Mike Castle, a Republican representative from Delaware, supports the research. "There are a number of republicans who are opposed to the policy which I am advocating here," he tells Ivanhoe. Lawmakers are entangled in the debate surrounding therapeutic cloning, which uses cloned embryos to produce stem cells that could generate healthy cells, tissues and organs On August 9, 2001, President Bush announced the government would not fund any stem cells created after that day. "The NIH is probably the most powerful engine for scientific research the world has ever known and for us, not to be able to fully utilize federal funding for this research in its infancy really is a setback," says Bernard Siegel, Executive Director of Genetics Policy Institute in Coral Gables, Fla., which is the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing human reproductive cloning and advocating the responsible use of therapeutic cloning research. He is leading the way to keep the research going. "We have to listen to our scientists, listen to our physicians and by all means listen to the millions of people that are suffering with diseases," Siegel says. A federal bill recently passed in the House to ban all cloning but the Senate has delayed voting on it. Only 10 states have any laws on cloning. Arkansas, Iowa, Michigan, and North and South Dakota have banned it. Michigan's law carries a $10 million fine and up to 10 years in prison for any scientist who violates it. Castle is pushing to change federal law. "I want to see American medical research resources put into this as soon as possible," he says. That's already happened in two states. New Jersey approved $50 million, and California is considering more than $3 billion for research on therapeutic cloning. This is not just an American issue. It's global. Last year, Siegel led a grassroots effort to defend therapeutic cloning in the United Nations. He was successful and saved the potential ban by a single vote. They'll vote again this fall. "Eventually, this science will advance. I think the question is, how many millions of lives might we lose," Siegel says. "How much suffering will take place before we find the benefits -- the true benefits -- of this research?" That's the question all politicians will have to ask themselves ... And so will each of us. Legislation is constantly changing on this issue. In the last legislative session, more than 60 bills were introduced around the country, some to promote, some to ban cloning. The U.N. will vote again on the issue October 23, 2004. This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/. If you would like more information, please contact: Elizabeth Wenk Deputy Chief of Staff for Mike Castle Washington, D.C. (205) 225-4165 Bernard Siegel, Executive Director Genetics Policy Institute Coral Gables, FL (305) 801-4928 [log in to unmask] SOURCE: HealthCentral.com http://www.healthcentral.com/news/NewsFullText.cfm?id=8009648 * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn