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ASRM BULLETIN
Volume 4, Number 13
April 5,
2002
ASRM Statement on Attempts at Human Cloning
Statement Attributable to William Keye, MD
President,
American Society for Reproductive Medicine
“As we have stated since 1997, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine opposes any attempt at reproductive cloning of a human being.
Despite the assertions of progress made by some self-proclaimed cloning experts, there is no scientific evidence to justify an attempt to clone a human being. We urge the media, the public and policy makers to meet such claims with skepticism rather than alarm, unless they are accompanied by peer-reviewed scientific evidence.
We are also deeply concerned about recruiting patients to participate in these efforts. Infertility can be an emotionally devastating disease. Any effort that offers false hope to these patients is irresponsible and unethical.
It is possible that some policy makers and advocates will want to use the claims of irresponsible scientists to bolster their case for an overly broad prohibition on scientific research. Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) technology holds great promise, and research should be allowed to continue into its uses for therapeutic purposes. ASRM supports legislation to make human reproductive cloning illegal. However, we caution policy makers not to be rushed into approving over-reaching legislation that will criminalize valid scientific and medical research and the therapies they might lead to."
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