Dear Representative Greenwood: The Association of American Universities, which represents 62 leading public and private research universities, strongly supports H.R. 801, the Cloning Prohibition Act of 2003. Along with Representatives Peter Deutsch (D-FL), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Diana DeGette (D-CO), and Mark Kirk (R-IL), your leadership in protecting research using nuclear transplantation to produce stem cells is greatly appreciated.

1, 05/15/02 Bill Comparison: S. 1899: Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 2001-Sponsored by Sam Brownback (R-KS) on 1/28/02 Cosponsors: Allard (R-CO); Bennett (R-UT); Bond (R-MO); Bunning (R-KY); Burns (R-MT); Craig (R-ID); Crapo (R-ID); DeWine (R-OH); Ensign (R-NV); Enzi (R-WY); Fitzgerald (R-IL); Gramm (R-TX); Grassley

The Association of American Universities has a long history of supporting academic and scientific freedom. It also recognizes the importance of conducting
research consistent with ethical, legal, and safety requirements.

Two National Academy of Sciences expert committees, as well as noted national and international organizations, have evaluated current scientific and medical information and have concluded that cloning a human being using the method of nuclear transplantation cannot be achieved safely. Such attempts in other mammals often have catastrophic outcomes. Furthermore, virtually nothing is known about the potential safety of such procedures in humans. Consequently, there is widespread and strong agreement that an attempt to clone a human being would constitute unwarranted experimentation on human subjects and should be prohibited by legislation that imposes criminal and civil penalties on those who would implant the product of nuclear transplantation into a woman’s uterus.

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, in the coming weeks the Senate will consider legislation to prohibit human cloning. In advance of that important debate, many have begun studying in a very careful way this complex issue. It is important because this issue is at the intersection of values, science, medicine and ethics.

Dear Senator Kennedy: The current opportunities in medical research are unparalleled in our nation's history. To help ensure that these opportunities are realized, the Association of American Medical Colleges urges Congress to oppose legislation that would prohibit research on therapeutic cloning. Such a blanket prohibition would have grave implications for future advances in medical research and human healing.

Dear Representative --------: The current opportunities in medical research are unparalleled in our nation's history. To help ensure the fulfillment of these opportunities, the Association of American Medical Colleges urges Congress to oppose legislation that would prohibit the use of somatic cell nuclear transfer. Such a blanket prohibition would have grave implications for future advances in medical research and human healing.