Rea Blakey: Legislating against human cloning

Rea Blakey is a medical correspondent for CNN as well as a regular contributor to the weekend program Your Health. Blakey joined the CNN.com chat room from the network's Washington, D.C. bureau.

CNN: Thank you for joining us today, Rea Blakey, and welcome.

REA BLAKEY: Hello to all the folks along the line on the CNN web site! I hope we'll have an interesting discussion today.

CNN: What issues surround the human cloning debate on the Hill today?

BLAKEY: Perhaps the most glaring issue has to do with embryonic stem cell research. Just listening to the members of the House debating the issue, some say it has nothing to do with stem cell research, but others contend that it does, saying that a ban on somatic cell nuclear transfer technology, which basically is therapeutic cloning, could put the US at a distinct disadvantage in regards to future medical technology and advancement.

VIDEO Having legalized human embryo cell research, Britain is attracting U.S. stem cell scientists who can't get federal funding. CNN's Sheila MacVicar reports (July 20) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) CNN's Elizabeth Cohen says stem cell research is gaining political support in Washington (July 18) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)   IN FOCUS CNN's Dana Bash on the politics, science and morality of the stem cell issue     MORE STORIES • Frist backs stem cell research   • Big Picture: Research avenue adds fuel to stem cell controversy     RESOURCES Read the NIH stem cell report   Message Board: Stem cell research and cloning

CHAT PARTICIPANT: Rea, is there any indication of which bill is more favored?

BLAKEY: President Bush at this time favors the Weldon bill, which would ban all human cloning, and create criminal penalties of up to ten years in prison, and/or one million dollars, for those who violate the proposed ban.

CHAT PARTICIPANT: Ms. Blakey, doesn't human cloning have tremendous possibilities for reconstructive plastic surgery?

BLAKEY: There are researchers who agree that is true, that skin grafts in particular, as well as insulin for diabetics, and potentially new brain cells for Parkinson's patients, could all eventually be achieved through embryonic stem cells, which could be devised from therapeutic cloning.

CNN: What is the difference between cloning for therapeutic purposes and the general cloning of human beings to replicate a human being?

BLAKEY: The terminology they're using on Capitol Hill is reproductive cloning vs. therapeutic cloning. Reproductive cloning would be the mainstream idea we associate with cloning, in that an identical twin would be created from an existing human, based on that human's genetic material. Therapeutic cloning, as discussed today in the US House of Representatives, represents the opportunity to create embryonic stem cells to be used for research and potential therapies.

CHAT PARTICIPANT: If cloning is not allowed in America, Ms. Blakey, what's to stop others from doing it?

BLAKEY: Good question. The only thing that would stop another country would be if that country initiated a ban, and at this point, Britain, France and Germany have human cloning bans in place, and just last Friday, Russia approved a five year moratorium on human cloning.

CNN: What does the course of the debate about human cloning tell us about the upcoming stem cell research debate?

BLAKEY: The reason that today's human cloning debate is so interesting, particularly to those who are opposed to embryonic stem cell research, is because human cloning could potentially open a pathway for greater embryonic stem cell research. It's an issue President Bush has been grappling with for weeks, and some Congressional observers believe the cloning debate in the US House of Representatives today could serve as a potential window for President Bush to make his announcement on embryonic stem cell research.

CHAT PARTICIPANT: How can a cloning ban be enforced?

BLAKEY: The Weldon bill contains provisions regarding criminality. However, there is an unforeseen potential that some scientists may violate the law.

CHAT PARTICIPANT: Rea, if the Weldon bill passes, will it then lead to the restriction of stem cell research to only adult stem cells?

BLAKEY: Some opponents of the Weldon Bill believe that's exactly what could happen, which is why the Greenwood-Deutsch legislation could present a more palatable alternative for those interested in providing an opportunity for federal funding of embryonic stem cell research.

CHAT PARTICIPANT: What exactly are opponents afraid of?

BLAKEY: The opponents to human cloning are very concerned that Pandora's Box has already been opened, and they want to prevent any monstrosities from occurring. Generally, it takes many attempts to perfect the cloning process. That would mean a number of failures would have to be incurred before a healthy clone could be created. Many people simply don't want to see that happening to other potential human beings.

CHAT PARTICIPANT: How is the pro-life contingent in the United States affecting the outcome of the issue?

BLAKEY: The National Right to Life Committee is very vocal on this issue, and is lobbying the House of Representatives quite heavily.

CNN: Do you have any final thoughts to share with us?

BLAKEY: As a nation, and internationally, we are certainly on the cusp of some very dramatic potential scientific discoveries. The issues of human cloning and the issue of embryonic stem cell research force all of us to address not only the science, but the ethical issues involved. It's apparent that some 75% of the U.S. population believe stem cells should be available to study, in hopes of treating, curing, or preventing a whole host of devastating diseases. But, as many opponents contend, at what cost?

CNN: Thank you for joining us today.

BLAKEY: Thank you all!

Rea Blakey joined the CNN.com chat via telephone and CNN provided a typist. This is an edited transcript of the interview, which took place on Tuesday, July 31, 2001.