Cardinal Keeler Hails House Vote Banning Human Cloning

WASHINGTON (August 1, 2001) -- Cardinal William Keeler, Chairman of the Committee for Pro-Life Activities, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, applauded the House of Representatives for its overwhelming approval of the Human Cloning Prohibition Act.

He urged the Senate to approve the legislation as soon as possible and send it to President Bush for his signature.

"This legislation is an important first step on 'the path to a truly humane future, in which man remains the master, not the product, of his technology'," Cardinal Keeler said.

The House passed the Human Cloning Prohibition Act July 31 by a vote of 265 to 162.

This is the text of the statement by Cardinal Keeler:

"I applaud the House of Representatives for approving the Human Cloning Prohibition Act this week by an overwhelming vote of 265 to 162. This legislation is an important first step on "the path to a truly humane future, in which man remains the master, not the product, of his technology." (Pope John Paul II, Address to President Bush at Castel Gandolfo, July 23).

By approving a law against human cloning, Congress will send a clear signal that we are not merely the victims of technical advance, that we can limit and direct our technological powers to serve and not demean human dignity. It will be especially important to express and strengthen this resolve as our lawmakers face issues such as embryonic stem cell research, genetic discrimination, and proposals for creating human beings solely for research purposes. I urge the Senate to approve this legislation as soon as possible and send it to President Bush for his signature."





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