FROM: OMNIFAX TO: JAN 15, 1998 3:32PM H747 P.@3

The American Society for Cell Biology
Statement on Cloning
January, 1998

At the request of thc National Bioethics Advisory Commission, the American Socicty for Cell
Biology recommended in the Spring of 1997 a voluntary intemational moratorium on human
nuclear transfer for the purposc of creating a new human being. This would allow scientists and the
public the opportunity to determine the safcty and appropriateness of such experimentation.

The ASCB continues to support such a moratorium as a constructive interim responsc to the
concerns raised by the cloning of an adult sheep. However, recent events in the U.S. have escalated
and infused new urgency into this debate, resulting in incrcased demands for regulatory legislation.

The ASCB urges that if legisJation is needed, it should specifically be concemed with the
reproduction of a human being by nuclear transfer. At thc same time, any legislation should not
impede or interfere with existing and potential critical rescarch fundamental to the prevention or
cure of human disease. This research often includes the cloning of human and animal cell lines and
DNA, but not whole human beings.

Thc National Bioethics Advisory Commission did recommend a three to five year moratorium on
human nuclear transfer for the purpose of creating a new human being in order to allow time to
evaluate the safety of and public views about such procedures. The ASCB urges that the
Commission's recommendation be the basis for any fedcral legislation.