Student Pugwash USA Election Guide 2004

In Detail

Two separate forms of human cloning are sometimes distinguished as reproductive cloning and therapeutic cloning. George Bush has rejected all forms of human cloning as President, and he vows to maintain this position if elected to a second term. In 2001 and 2003, Bush supported House resolutions H.R. 2505 and H.R. 534 that called for bans on all human cloning., These resolutions passed in the House. In a document released by the Office of Management and Budget in 2001, it states that "the administration unequivocally is opposed to the cloning of human beings either for reproduction or for research."¹ In 2001, Bush supported a UN resolution, sponsored by Costa Rica, to ban all human cloning. Bush reiterated his position in a recent Science article focused on a possible future term, stating, "I believe all human cloning is wrong, and a total ban on human cloning is necessary to ensure the protection of human life as the frontiers of science expand."

John Kerry is opposed to reproductive cloning but supports therapeutic cloning. Kerry states, "And while I oppose reproductive cloning, I will support research in therapies that allow an individual's own cells to treat or cure that person's disease." In 1998, John Kerry voted against a measure to close further debate on the Human Cloning Prohibition Act so that it could be considered for a vote. On July 13, 2004, he co-sponsored a bill, S.303, with Orrin Hatch to prohibit reproductive cloning while allowing therapeutic cloning., This bill is currently in referral in the Senate Judiciary Committee.⁸ All types of cloning are legal in 41 states currently because of the delays in passing legislation.⁷

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