July 23, 2001

The Honorable Adam Schiff
House Judiciary Committee
2138 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Representative Schiff:

As president of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB), I would like to bring to your attention FASEB’s views on human cloning. On July 3, 2001, FASEB leadership endorsed the position on human cloning and human cloning legislation which is attached.

FASEB is comprised of 21 societies with more than 60,000 members, making it the largest coalition of biomedical research associations in the United States. The mission of FASEB is to enhance the ability of biomedical and life scientists to improve, through their research, the health, well-being and productivity of all people.

FASEB is strongly opposed to reproductive human cloning, but supports the use of cloning techniques to produce molecules, cells, and tissues for research and therapeutic use. We fear that broadly crafted legislation, such as the Human Cloning Prohibition Act, HR 2505, introduced by Congressman Weldon, will prevent these important uses of cloning technology and block essential biomedical research.

Please keep in mind the enormous potential of these cloning techniques in advancing biomedical therapies as you debate this very serious issue.

Sincerely,

Robert R. Rich
FASEB President