U.S. Senate & United Nations Debate Research for CURES!

[Guest guest]

I received a letter from both of my senators regarding two bills that are now being considered by the senate.......s.245 which bans cloning, therapeutic stem cell and somatic stem cell transfer (SCNT) research and......s.303 which bans cloning but allows therapeutic stem cell and SCNT. Both of my senators (Michigan) support bill s.303. Also, I know that Reagan, Orrin Hatch, Arlen Spector, Kennedy, Finestein and many others support s.303. I know that Senator Brownback of Kansas and many others support s.245.

Also, there is a debate at the United Nations to ban all forms of stem cell research worldwide. From what I have read, if the United Nations supports the ban and the Senate votes in favor of s.245, therapeutic stem cell and SCNT research will be stigmatized and held back for many years to come.

As you know, President Bush has placed restrictions on research for therapeutic purposes.

For your information, here is a copy of the letter I received from Michigan senator Carl Levin.........................

Dear Mr. :

Thank you for contacting me about human cloning and stem cell research. I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue.

There are many moral and ethical questions involved in reproductive human cloning. Reproductive human cloning results from implanting a cloned human embryo into a woman's uterus for the purpose of creating a child. Many people have expressed concern that cloning could lead to a diminished respect for human life. Also, many experts have expressed concern about the scientific uncertainties related to human cloning and the viability of the life human cloning could create. The National Academy of Sciences and the National Bioethics Advisory Commission have concluded that reproductive cloning is unsafe and should not be attempted. I agree with such concerns, and I agree that reproductive human cloning should be banned.

There are other aspects to cloning beside reproductive human cloning, however. Scientists are attempting to create stem cells by cloning genes, cells, or plants, which is generally referred to as "therapeutic cloning." One such method of therapeutic cloning is somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), which occurs when a scientist removes the nucleus of an egg and replaces it with the nucleus of a mature body cell, such as a skin cell or heart cell. That egg is then stimulated to divide into more cells that have the potential to become stem cells.

Stem cells are critical to important life-saving research. They have the ability to divide indefinitely and to develop into specialized cells. Researchers believe these cells have the potential to grow into any type of cell in the human body, and because they possess the patient's DNA, will reduce the chance that the cells would be rejected when implanted. This research could lead to cures for a myriad of debilitating diseases including cancer, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, and heart disease, as well as such conditions as spinal cord injuries, liver damage, arthritis, and burns.

Stem cells can also be derived from excess fertilized eggs stored in freezers at in vitro fertility clinics, which are not going to be used for reproductive purposes. Thousands of such cells will simply be discarded. Far better they be used in stem cell research. Depriving scientists of this valuable resource will deprive many Americans, including children, a chance to regain a healthy life. A number of medical groups, including the American Medical Association, American Pediatric Society, National Coalition for Cancer Research, and the Society for Women's Health Research, have endorsed both a prohibition on human reproductive cloning and protections for important areas of medical research, including stem cell research.

Two competing pieces of legislation in this area have been introduced in the Senate. One, the Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 2003 (S.245), would ban the use of stem cell research. The alternative I prefer is S.303, the Human Cloning Ban and Stem Cell Research Protection Act of 2003. This bill would make it unlawful for any person to conduct or attempt to conduct human reproductive cloning, while certain areas of medical research, including stem cell research would be protected.

This is a difficult and important issue. Thank you again for sharing your views with me.

Sincerely,

Carl Levin

For timely articles about therapeutic stem cell research, the UN debate etc., go this web site...... Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research.