Anticloning Forces Launch Second-Term Offensive

Abstract

The once-solid political coalition in the USA that opposes any form of human cloning is showing signs of splintering over strategy. Supporters of cloning research are paying close attention to the rift, wondering whether it may work to their advantage or lead to new laws restricting research that stretches ethical boundaries. One camp, led by Senator Sam Brownback and pro-life groups, seeks to renew the fight to pass a comprehensive ban on all cloning of human embryos. Brownback, who plans to reintroduce legislation, and others have tried to capitalize on the near-universal aversion to the notion of cloning a human to also ban the use of somatic cell nuclear transfer to create early-stage embryos for research. Citing SCNT's potential to elucidate and perhaps treat diseases such as Parkinson's, research and patient groups have thwarted such legislative efforts to date.