Posted on: Monday, April 15, 2002

EDITORIAL
Bush stand on cloning hurts more than helps

There's a good chance that President Bush's latest remarks on human cloning were designed to score a political point rather than make a sound, scientific policy statement.

Still, the comments are dangerous and may push Congress away from sensible, balanced cloning legislation that would preserve medical research while maintaining high ethical standards.

Bush called for a comprehensive, no-exceptions ban on human cloning. He urged scientists to look instead at adult stem cells, which may one day offer the same promise as research into cloned embryonic stem cells.

Surely, investigation into the possibilities of adult stem cells is important and should go forward. But most scientists believe that the most likely avenue for breakthroughs is through the use of embryonic cells. There is a belief that such cells may offer cures or advanced treatment to a wide variety of diseases, ranging from cancer through Alzheimer's.

Almost everyone condemns the idea of cloning cells for the purpose of creating a child. But that is not what is being discussed. What scientists want to do is clone embryonic cells, not create a fetus.

Bush said he supports a measure introduced by Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas that would impose a 10-year prison term and a $1 million fine on anyone who tried to clone human cells for any purpose.

That would be a disaster. It would drive research underground, where federal ethical standards and disclosure rules would not apply.

Far better to pass legislation — such as that proposed by California Sen. Diane Feinstein — that distinguishes between human cloning and what is called "regenerative medicine." In other words, cures, not creation.