Yuko to propose human cloning ban that protects stem cell research

Monday, November 14, 2005

For immediate release: Monday, Nov. 14, 2005

CONTACT: John Kohlstrand (614) 466-9035 or Kelley Robinson (614) 466-8012

Yuko to propose human cloning ban

that protects stem cell research

Rep. Kenny Yuko announced today he will soon be introducing legislation that would ban human reproductive cloning while still protecting the stem cell research that could one day yield cures to some of the world’s most debilitating diseases.

Yuko, D-Richmond Heights, said he sees his forthcoming bill as a morally and economically preferable alternative to House Bill 355 – a ban on human cloning so sweeping that it would outlaw one of the most promising scientific techniques now used in stem cell research.

A floor vote on H.B. 355 is expected as soon as Wednesday. The pharmaceutical industry has warned the bill could have a “chilling effect on biomedical research and development in the state of Ohio.” House Democrats have warned it could make criminals out of future Ohioans who leave the state in search of treatments that would be illegal here.

“I think we can all agree that cloning a human version of Dolly the Sheep would be immoral and wrong. My bill would outlaw that,” Yuko said. “But my bill also keeps hope alive for the hundreds of thousands of Ohioans awaiting new treatments for spinal cord injuries, juvenile diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease.”

“Stem cell research makes medical, moral and economic sense for Ohio,” Yuko said. “Stem cell research can create jobs and save lives. We shouldn’t cede this new frontier to states like Wisconsin, California, Illinois and New Jersey.”

The issue is personal for Yuko, who announced on the House floor in June that he suffers from multiple sclerosis, a disease scientists say may one day benefit from stem cell research. The research is also thought to have potential for burn victims and Parkinson’s disease.

At issue is a scientific technique called somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). The technique was used by the Scottish scientists who created Dolly the Sheep.

But SCNT is also the only technique scientists now know of to create genetically-personalized lines of stem cells that would not be rejected by the human body. It can be done without the prospect of a cloned human baby.

H.B. 355 defines SCNT as “human cloning,” outlaws it, and imposes a jail sentence of up to two years for anyone who would “send or receive… any product derived from” SCNT. (A similar proposal in Wisconsin was vetoed on Nov. 3 by Gov. Jim Doyle).

In contrast, Yuko’s forthcoming legislation will define human cloning more narrowly, permitting SCNT as long as it cannot lead to a human baby. It is inspired in part, by legislation supported in Congress by Orrin Hatch, the pro-life Utah senator.

Yuko is now seeking co-sponsors within the House of Representatives and fine-tuning language with the help of experts in the medical field.

“As Governor Doyle put it, allowing scientists conduct stem cell research and find cures to the world’s deadliest diseases is not about being liberal or conservative,” Yuko said. “It’s about being compassionate. And respect for human life means you don’t turn your back on cures that can save lives.”

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Note: A fact sheet on H.B. 355 is attached. Rep. Yuko’s June 21 floor speech on stem cell research is available online at http://www.ohiochannel.org/index.cfm?action=media.legislative_session_details&program_id=26&session_id=50945&clip_file_name=V06212005H_2&start_time=00:32:24.