ml> U.S. Congressman Cliff Stearns (FL06)- Press Release

NEWS FROM

North Central Florida's Congressman

CLIFF STEARNS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 28, 2001		 CONTACT: PAUL FLUSCHE
(202) 225-5744

STEARNS EXPRESSES OPPOSITION TO HUMAN CLONING IN HEARING TODAY

"HUMAN CLONING IS A FORM OF PLAYING GOD - IT INTERFERES WITH THE NATURAL ORDER OF CREATION"

WASHINGTON, MAR. 28, 2001 - "The idea of human cloning has moved from the realm of science fiction to a scientific endeavor," says Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL). "Human cloning represents a dangerous and unethical use of technology." The Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations for the Energy and Commerce Committee is holding a hearing today on safety and the ethical questions surrounding human cloning.

Stearns offered legislation in the 105th and 106th Congresses to prohibit the expenditure of federal funds to conduct or support research on the cloning of humans. The measures also urged Congress to press other countries to establish substantially equivalent restrictions. Added Stearns, "Many of these goals already have been met to some degree: Former President Clinton banned the use of federal funds for human cloning research and the European Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine already has outlawed the practice."

The cloning of animals has resulted in deformities, large fetuses, and premature deaths in sheep and cattle. "There are other compelling and serious ethical and moral implications attached to human cloning," explained Stearns, "which could lead to a new eugenics movement or the establishment of 'scientific' categories of superior and inferior people. We also should be aware of different techniques for human cloning that could circumvent a ban such as transferring a human nucleus into a nonhuman egg."

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