Washington, DC, Press Conference Postponed

The press conference on the Human Cloning Ban and Stem Cell Research Protection Act of 2003 scheduled for Wednesday has now been deferred to a later date. This needed to be done solely for logistical reasons.

One of the bill's sponsors has said to us, "For what it's worth, you have my thanks for all the effort you mobilized at short notice and my apologies that the effort was not rewarded at this time."

If you have not already done so, please take a minute to contact your Senators (a written letter can be found at the internet address below) and ask them to co-sponsor the Human Cloning Ban and Stem Cell Research Protection Act of 2003.  Go to the Hope Network to contact Congress.

Ban human cloning, but don't ban hope.

Earlier press release:

We need you in Washington, DC.

On Wednesday, January 15, the Senate will introduce the Human Cloning Ban and Stem Cell Research Protection Act of 2003. This bill would criminalize reproductive cloning, which we all agree is unsafe and unethical (Human Cloning Ban). The other half of the bill allows somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), also known as therapeutic cloning, which transplants a patient's own DNA into an unfertilized egg in order to grow stem cells that could cure devastating diseases.

If you are in the area, please come to the press conference in support of this bill, Wednesday, January 15, 12:00pm, Russell Caucus Room (325 Russell). Call 202-224-3121 for directions.

Therapeutic cloning has the potential to treat life-threatening diseases, including spinal cord injury, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, ALS, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.  The bill ensures rigorous oversight of the research conducted, including review by an ethics board and protections for research participants, and imposes large financial penalties for violations.

This is a new science, and one that needs to be explored and discussed. Human cloning, however, should be banned immediately. Therapeutic cloning is a complicated issue, but one with too much at stake to ignore. This bill sees the difference, sees the implications, and sees the potential.

If you are unable to attend the press conference, please take a minute to write your Senators (a written letter can be found at the internet address below) and ask them to co-sponsor the Human Cloning Ban and Stem Cell Research Protection Act of 2003.  Go to the Hope Network to contact Congress.
 

Ban human cloning, but don't ban hope.