|
|||||||
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|||||||
| Front Page |
Q1. What is therapeutic cloning?
Therapeutic cloning, also called somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), is when a patients DNA is transplanted into an unfertilized egg cell to grow stem cells. The nucleus of the patients skin cell would be removed and then combined with the unfertilized egg cell, which also has its nucleus removed. The best part about SCNT is that the patient's body would accept the cells made from SCNT, because it is designed with the patient's own DNA. There would be no harmful autoimmune suppressant drugs.
Q2. What is reproductive cloning?
Reproductive cloning is when technology is used to make a child. It calls for taking a fertilized eggs and implanting it into a woman's uterus where it would grow. You would have two completely identical people.
Q3. How can SCNT cure my disease?
SCNT has the power to become the cells in your body that aren't working anymore, whether that be islet cells for diabetes, or brain cells for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, or cells for peopel heart disease or spinal cord injuries. Virtually any cell can be created using SCNT. The Coalition for the Advancement in Medical Research (CAMR) says "SCNT could help scientists develop cells that will not be attacked and destroyed by the body's immune system."
Q4. If we start doing therapeutic cloning, isn't there a risk of doing reproductive cloning?
With SCNT, there is no fertilization of the egg by sperm, no implantation into the uterus and no pregnancy. You must have those three things to do reproductive cloning, and therapeutic cloning calls for none of them.
Q5. What is the bill by Sens. Brownback and Landrieu so bad?
The Brownback-Landrieu bill would ban all research on therapeutic cloning, making this life-saving research illegal. They call for sending any researcher who does therapeutic cloning to jail.
Q6. What is Congress doing to solve this problem?
Congress is currently looking over two bills, the Brownback-Landrieu bill (S.1899) and the Specter-Feintein-Hatch-Kennedy bill (S.2439). S.2439 is carefully worder so that therapeutic cloning is allowed, but all other cloning is strictly prohibited. Right now, S.2439 is supported by the National Bioethics Advisory Commission, the National Academy's Panel on Scientific and Medical Aspects of Human Cloning, the California Advisory Commmittee on Human Cloning and over 40 Nobel laureates.
Q7. How can I help?
Call or write your Members of Congress. Tell them why or why not you want therapeutic cloning.