NEWS FROM
North Central Florida's Congressman
CLIFF STEARNS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 31, 2001CONTACT: PAUL FLUSCHE
(202) 225-5744
STEARNS VOTES WITH HOUSE TO BAN HUMAN CLONING
"CLONING IS A FORM OF PLAYING GOD SINCE IT INTERFERES WITH THE NATURAL ORDER OF CREATION, GENETIC VARIATION, AND NATURAL SELECTION"
WASHINGTON, JULY 31, 2001 - "The issue comes down to life and morality," stated Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Ocala). "Science can, and has, achieved great strides benefiting humanity. However, just because something is scientifically and technologically feasible does not mean we should blindly pursue it." Stearns voted with the House in approving the Human Cloning Prohibition Act, H.R. 2505, to ban human cloning.
Stearns also joined in rejecting a proposal that would have only banned cloning with the intention to initiate pregnancy while permitting cloning research to develop human embryos. "H.R. 2505 does not oppose science and research that could lead to new treatments for diseases and injuries; rather, it preserves the sanctity of human life," explained Stearns. The bill does not restrict areas of scientific research including but not limited to 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.
Said Stearns, "I submit that man lacks the ability to predict or control the possible consequences of cloning. Let us not forget that it took 273 tries to develop Dolly. That begs the question, what about the other 272 animals? We don't hear about the failed Dollies, many of which suffered from crippling defects, if they survived at all."
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