US Panel Supports Cloning Only for Treating Disease

A panel of scientists from the US National Academy of Sciences (Washington, DC, USA) has reported that it supports the cloning of embryos to treat disease but not the creation of clones to reproduce human beings, which it says is not safe and should be outlawed. The panel was composed of 11 experts from leading US medical and educational centers who considered the scientific and medical aspects of human reproductive cloning.

While many experts are in favor of research or therapeutic cloning, very few are in favor of reproductive cloning, so the report did not come as a surprise. However, the report adds to the ongoing US controversy over cloning. The US Senate is about to consider new legislation to ban all forms of cloning, for any purpose whatever. The legislation is backed by US President Bush. The same position is also held by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, which argues that creating and destroying embryos for research interferes with the sanctity of human life. Meanwhile, the Council on Bioethics, appointed by President Bush, has also been wrestling with the ethics of cloning. Although no members favor reproductive cloning, many disagree on therapeutic cloning.

In recommending a ban on reproductive cloning, the academy's panel noted that within five years the ban should be reviewed, to be reconsidered only if new findings indicate that the process is safe and there is broad national backing for reconsideration. Following testimony from three scientists who plan to attempt the cloning of a human being, the panel concluded that "no voluntary system that is established to restrict reproductive cloning is likely to be completely effective.”