Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research Praises Senators on Introduction of 'Therapeutic Cloning' Bill

4/30/2002

From: Maggie Goldberg of the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research, 973-379-2690 ext. 115

WASHINGTON, April 30 -- The Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR) today praised Senators Specter (R-PA), Kennedy (D-MA), and Feinstein (D-CA) for introducing the "Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 2002." The act bans human reproductive cloning but allows somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), sometimes called "therapeutic cloning." The group also singled out Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) for announcing his support of the bill.

"We agree strongly with these Senators that human reproductive cloning should be prohibited, but that SCNT be pursued," said Michael Manganiello, President of CAMR and Senior Vice President of the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation. "Senator Hatch has once again stood up for patients - patients living with life-threatening diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, ALS, diabetes, and MS. The political courage he demonstrated today shows his strong determination and commitment to bringing medical research advances to the bedsides of the people who need it most."

SCNT may prove to be a vital tool in allowing scientists to fully develop the promise of stem cell research. CAMR is committed to ensuring that this potentially life-saving research is allowed to move forward.

SCNT involves the use of a donor's unfertilized egg and a patient's own cells. The research could allow a patient's own genetic material to be used to develop stem cell therapies specifically tailored to that individual's medical condition, thus not triggering an immune rejection response. In other words, using SCNT could repair patients with their own cells.

Frank Coccozelli, co-founder of the Committee for the Advancement of Stem Cell Research and wheelchair bound due to a rare form of IBM muscular dystrophy added, "Senators Specter, Feinstein, Kennedy and Hatch are true champions for those of us awaiting a cure. I know that SCNT research is not a guarantee, but a hope, and that is all the more reason to not to ban the research."

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.