Cloning: Where Do We Go From Here?

Publication Date: April 1998

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

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Research Area: Science and technology

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Abstract:

News in February 1997 that scientists in Scotland had succeeded in cloning an adult sheep ignited a worldwide debate. Of concern are the ethical and social implications of the potential application of cloning to produce human beings. The announcement marked the first time that researchers were able to produce an exact genetic replica of an animal adult. Scientists identify a number of potential medical and agricultural applications for this technique. Within hours of the February 24 news, President Clinton asked his National Bioethics Advisory Commission (NBAC) to initiate a complete review of the ethical and social issues related to cloning and report back within 90 days. On March 4, 1997, the President sent a memorandum to the heads of all executive departments and agencies making it ''absolutely clear that no federal funds will be used for human cloning.'' He also urged the private sector to adopt a voluntary ban on the cloning of humans until the NBAC completed its evaluation.

Bills were introduced in the 105th Congress that would ban federally supported human cloning research (S. 368 and H.R. 922), or human cloning altogether, H.R. 923. One, H.R. 922, was reported to the House (amended), H.Rept. 105-239, but received no floor action. Hearings on cloning were held in both chambers. The NBAC presented its report in June, recommending -- among other things -- that federal legislation be enacted to prohibit anyone from attempting to create a child through cloning. The President sent up to Congress legislation (the ''Cloning and Prohibition Act of 1997'') reflecting the NBAC recommendations; however, it was not introduced in the first session. News reports on January 7, 1998, disclosed that a Chicago scientist, Dr. Richard Seed, intended to clone a human being and that he already had 8 volunteers who were willing to be cloned. Since then, 6 more cloning prohibition bills have been introduced: S. 1574, H.R. 3133, S. 1599, S. 1601, S. 1602, and S. 1611. On February 11, 1998, efforts to call up S. 1601 for consideration in the Senate failed (by a vote of 42-54).