Pro-Nuclear Transfer Legislation Introduced in Senate

April 22, 2005 – Legislation that would allow nuclear transfer (NT) research to proceed under strict oversight from the federal government but would prohibit human reproductive cloning was introduced by a bipartisan group of Senators—including Orrin G. Hatch (R-UT), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Arlen Specter (R-PA), Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Tom Harkin (D-IA)—on Thursday, April 21, 2005. “The Human Cloning Ban and Stem Cell Research Protection Act of 2005” is very similar to the bill this group of Senators introduced in 2003. Next week, a companion bill is expected to be introduced in the House of Representatives by lead sponsor Representative Mary Bono (R-CA).

This legislation would make human reproductive cloning a crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison, but would allow for NT research for the purpose of obtaining stem cells to be used in treating disease. In addition, the bill would require the informed consent of donors, forbid the purchase or sale of unfertilized eggs, prohibit research on any created embryo beyond 14 days, and mandate separation of the egg collection site from the research laboratory. The National Institutes of Health would help determine other suitable ethical guidelines in allowing this critical research to go forward with federal funding and at federally-funded institutions.

A similar bill did not get a vote in the Senate in 2003-2004. However, Senator Hatch said that the lead cosponsors of this legislation would push harder this year and expected more support from colleagues. On March 17, 2005, Senators Sam Brownback (R-KS) and Mary Landrieu (D-LA) along with Representative Dave Weldon (R-FL) introduced the “Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 2005” (S 658/HR 1357), legislation that would ban all forms of human cloning, including NT research, and also prohibits patients from returning home from abroad after receiving treatments using NT research. This bill currently has 29 cosponsors in the Senate and 113 cosponsors in the House.

The Society’s Policy Statement on Nuclear Transfer and Human Reproductive Cloning urges support for NT research while backing efforts to prohibit the cloning of a human being. ASH believes that NT research is a critical tool for scientists to fully develop the promise of stem cell research and will allow scientists to create new embryonic stem cell lines that advance the full investigation of the genetic causes of disease. Moreover, the Society ardently opposes human reproductive cloning and actively supports efforts to implement a complete ban on the practice.

ASH will keep you informed about any legislative developments on NT research or human reproductive cloning.

If you have questions, or need more information, please contact ASH Government Affairs Manager Jeff Coughlin at (202) 776-0544.