08-04-2001

HEALTH: House Approves Ban on Human Cloning

The House on July 31 voted 265-162 to approve legislation banning human
cloning, over the objections of members who said the ban is so sweeping it
could hinder research breakthroughs. The bill, sponsored by Reps. Dave
Weldon, R-Fla., and Bart Stupak, D-Mich., would bar the use of cloning
techniques both to replicate a person and to create embryos for research.
Violators would be subject to fines of up to $1 million or 10 years in
prison. Backers said legislation is needed immediately because researchers
are already talking about attempting to clone embryos. The supporters also
said that creating embryos for research, even to help others, is not
morally justifiable. "This technique would reduce some human beings
to the level of a commodity," said House Majority Whip Tom DeLay,
R-Texas. But opponents said it would be immoral not to let research
proceed. "It's unconscionable for us not to continue to be the
merchants of hope," said Rep. Anna G. Eshoo, D-Calif.


Julie Rovner/CongressDaily

National Journal