Patient, Medical Research Groups Express Disappointment with House Vote to Ban Therapeutic Cloning; Passage Denies Hope to Millions

2/27/2003

From: Julie Kimbrough of the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research, 212-585-3501

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27 -- After a House vote on whether or not to ban all forms of human cloning, the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR) expressed its strong disappointment in the passage of a bill which prohibits the use of therapeutic cloning to help cure disease, and will make passage of a reproductive cloning ban by the full Congress impossible this year. CAMR, comprised of the nation's leading patient groups, universities, and scientific societies, has led the charge to support federal funding for embryonic stem cell research and to oppose a ban on therapeutic cloning (more accurately called somatic cell nuclear transfer).

"Not only have the hardline opponents of scientific and medical research turned their backs on patients today, their vote will also keep the U.S. Congress from enacting a full ban on human reproductive cloning," said Michael Manganiello, president of CAMR. "The overwhelming majority of the U.S. public and Members of Congress want to see a ban on reproductive cloning. But by insisting on banning all cloning, including the promising new field of therapeutic, the net result will be no ban on reproductive at all. We are grateful that we have such staunch support in the Senate to ensure that no bill banning promising research like therapeutic cloning will pass," he added.

"No avenues of research should be slammed shut to my daughter and millions of other children and adults suffering daily like her. My daughter is battling a horrific life sentence and deserves every chance at a normal life," said Monica Coenraads, whose 6-year-old child Chelsea is afflicted with Rett Syndrome -- a disorder which robs children of communication and motor skills and renders them completely dependent on others for every basic need. "I am so thankful to the Members of Congress who stood up for my daughter, and countless others like her, today. Nearly every family in America has a loved one affected by some condition that could be helped through advances in medical research," she added.

"Throughout history politicians have attempted to prohibit medical advances, whether it's organ donation, IVF, or the use of recombinant DNA. Fortunately, sounder minds prevailed and all of these procedures are available to us today, helping millions of patients worldwide," said Manganiello. "We are very appreciative of those House Members who fought hard against the Weldon bill today-the more we met with Members and educated them about the promise this field holds for curing disease, the more support we gained. If we would have had more time, I know we would have solidified more votes in our favor," added Manganiello.

Therapeutic cloning research has the support of both leading Democrats and Republicans including former Presidents Ford and Carter as well as former First Lady Nancy Reagan. Leading medical scientists, including the National Academy of Sciences and 40 Nobel Laureates, major patient advocacy organizations, the American public, and many religious leaders agree that therapeutic cloning could lead to dramatic new treatments and cures for now-incurable diseases and should be pursued.

Therapeutic cloning (somatic cell nuclear transfer) is about saving and improving lives. It is fundamentally different from human reproductive cloning; it produces stem cells, not babies. In somatic cell nuclear transfer, the nucleus of a donor's unfertilized egg is removed and replaced with the nucleus of a patient's own cells, like a skin, heart, or nerve cell. These types of cells are called somatic cells. The goal is to develop stem cells that will not be rejected or destroyed by the patient's immune system. No sperm is used in this procedure. The cells are not transplanted into a womb. The unfertilized egg cells are stored in a petri dish to become a source of stem cells that can be used to treat life-threatening medical conditions. Somatic cell nuclear transfer aims to treat or cure patients by creating tailor-made, genetically identical cells that their bodies won't reject. In other words, somatic cell nuclear transfer could allow patients with diseases and conditions like cancer, diabetes, ALS, Parkinson's, spinal cord injuries and many more to be cured using their own DNA.

The Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR), is comprised of nationally-recognized patient organizations, universities, scientific societies, foundations, and individuals with life-threatening illnesses and disorders, advocating for the advancement of breakthrough research and technologies in regenerative medicine -- including stem cell research and somatic cell nuclear transfer -- in order to cure disease and alleviate suffering. For more information on CAMR, visit the website: http://www.camradvocacy.org.