S. 1601 Briefing
Human Cloning Research Bill

Brief Date: 1998, February 8th

Bill Summary & Status for the 105th Congress Found at:
<http://thomas.loc.gov/home/thomas.html>

SPONSOR: Sen Lott (introduced 02/03/98)

Human Cloning Ban.

Both the House and Senate seek to pass a ban on human cloning this spring. However, the devil may be in the details. Earlier this year, legislation banning all human cloning (HR 923 in the House and S. 1601 in the Senate) was stalled when backers of an incomplete cloning ban erroneously claimed the bills would end necessary research. The complete bans do not stop any research that utilizes the cloning of plants or animals, or even cloning of some human cells. What the bill would prohibit, and what supporters of the incomplete ban want to allow, is the creation of tiny human embryo clones available for wholesale research and destined for destruction. Because abortion has devalued the unborn, human clones who have not been born are seen as valuable only as a research commodity. Pharmaceutical companies are claiming they need human cloning to do research on AIDS, cancer, Alzheimers and infertility even though this research can and is already being done. However, creating life, cloned or otherwise, simply for research purposes is unethical and wrong. Pro-life members are attempting to revive the debate and pass a complete human cloning ban. Members of Congress may vote on cloning bills when they return in late April. Please urge your representative to support a complete ban on human cloning.
[Source: Family Research Council’s LEGISLATIVE HOTLINE, Friday, April 3, 1998]

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Cloning Bill Stalled.

The Senate failed on Wednesday, February 11 to end a filibuster (invoke cloture) of legislation banning all human cloning, with only 42 senators voting pro-life. Fifty-four senators voted to support the filibuster and effectively stalled the cloning ban. The bill (S 1601), sponsored by Sen. Kit Bond (R-MO), was opposed by groups who want to allow experimentation on cloned human embryos. Some research companies lobbied senators with erroneous claims that the ban would hurt current research. In contrast, the Bond bill would prohibit only the unknown territory of research on cloned humans. With many senators calling for hearings on the latest "bio-ethical" issue, the cloning debate will continue for many months ahead. On Thursday, the day after the vote to end the filibuster, the House Commerce Committee held a hearing on cloning. Sen. Bill Frist (R-TN), a surgeon, and Rep. Vernon Ehlers (R-MI), a physicist, both called for a ban on all cloning and reiterated that their positions were scientifically based and well-thought out. Theologians and biomedical experts also testified with most expressing strong reservations about cloning. More hearings are expected in the near future and FRC will continue to support and encourage legislation to prohibit all human cloning and which promotes the dignity and sanctity of all life. [emphasis mine]
[Source: Family Research Council’s LEGISLATIVE HOTLINE, Friday, February 13, 1998]

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Human Cloning Prohibition

The Senate began consideration of a bill that would permanently ban human cloning on Thursday, February 5. The bill (S 1601) sponsored by Sen. Kit Bond (R-MO), clarifies the definition of cloning so that experimentation on all cloned human embryos is banned. Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Ted Kennedy (D-MA), who are filibustering the Bond bill, want human cloning to be permitted in the lab but not implanted in the womb and want the ban to last only 10 years. The Senate may vote to end the filibuster on Tuesday, February 10. If the necessary 60 votes to invoke cloture are reached, senators will then vote on passage of Sen. Bond's bill or a gutting substitute by Feinstein and Kennedy. Please call your senator and urge him or her to vote YES on invoking cloture and to SUPPORT the original Bond bill. The Capitol switchboard is 202-224-3121. [emphasis mine]
[Source: Family Research Council’s LEGISLATIVE HOTLINE, Friday, February 6, 1998]

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On Thursday, January 29, FRC President Gary Bauer joined House Majority Leader Dick Armey at a news conference calling for the banning of human cloning. Bauer noted, "Human cloning should be banned because it transforms procreation into production where human children are the customized products." Bauer also made clear what he meant by the term cloning. "Human life begins at conception. Cloning of human embryos is entirely unacceptable." Bauer also reminded listeners that it took 277 failed attempts -- including the deaths of several defective clones -- before Dolly the sheep was successfully cloned last February. The research necessary to develop human cloning will cause the deaths of human beings. Because of the ethical, moral and theological problems surrounding cloning, most Americans oppose human cloning. Recent polls suggest that nine out of 10 Americans oppose the cloning of human beings. Majority Leader Armey promised to move legislation banning human cloning quickly through the House.
[Source: Family Research Council’s LEGISLATIVE HOTLINE, Friday, January 30, 1998]

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Sen. Chris (Kit) Bond (R-MO) said he intends to introduce "emergency" legislation on banning cloning as soon as Congress resumes its business on Jan. 28. Chicago scientist Richard Seed continues to claim he wants to clone humans, possibly within 18 months. House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-TX) promised to move any such ban as quickly as possible, calling cloning "a nasty business." Sen. Bond's bill will attempt to define cloning more narrowly than other bills in an effort to continue to allow medical advances in infertility treatments. Cloning opponents also want to be sure that possible loopholes are not overlooked. Since some define cloning as "cloning and implantation," pro-life activists want to be certain that the ban prohibits destruction of human embryonic clones. In 1997, Congress passed, and the president signed, a year-long ban on federal funding of human cloning.
[Source: Family Research Council’s LEGISLATIVE HOTLINE, Friday, January 23, 1998]

S. 1601 Summary from "Thomas" U.S. government WEB site
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