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For Immediate Release: 
July 31, 2001 

CONTACT:
Sean Tipton
202-863-2494
stipton@asrm.org

ASRM Statement on House Passage of Weldon Cloning Bill

Statement Attributable to Sean Tipton
Director of Public Affairs, American Society for Reproductive Medicine

"The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) is very disappointed that the House has passed an irresponsible, over-reaching restriction on scientific research. By banning all use of somatic cell nuclear transfer, the Republican leadership of the House has made a priority of symbolism over substance, and put politics over patients.

By making illegal all use of somatic cell nuclear transfer, HR 2505 prohibits American scientists from discovering potential cures for diseases like diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and spinal cord injury. If other countries discover these cures, the Weldon bill would make it illegal for American patients to use them.

We urge the Senate to take a more responsible approach to cloning. The ASRM has been on record in opposing cloning since 1997. We have supported and would support in the Senate, a more responsible restriction on human cloning. By crafting legislation that would prohibit human reproductive cloning, but allow related research to continue, the Senate can prohibit the cloning of a human being without stopping vital research.

It is frustrating that we have not been able to make the members of Congress understand the connection between stem cell research and therapeutic cloning. Therapeutic cloning using Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer will likely be the application that fulfills the promise stem cell research holds for patients. If American researchers are not free to explore this field, we may never develop the understanding we need to utilize the full power of these promising treatments. Making SCNT illegal makes supporting stem cell research virtually meaningless."

ASRM, founded in 1944, has more than 8,500 members who are devoted to advancing knowledge and expertise in reproductive medicine and biology. ASRM-affiliate societies include the Society of Reproductive Surgeons, the Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, the Society for Male Reproduction and Urology, and the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology.

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