AMA Endorses Cloning for Research (6-2003)

The American Medical Association last week endorsed cloning 
for the purpose of research and the production of the 
valuable embryonic stem cells, putting it squarely at odds 
with Pres. Bush, who has been intransigent in his continued 
opposition to using cloned embryos for any reason 
whatsoever.

The AMA’s endorsement does not include cloning for 
reproductive purposes. In addition, it stressed the need 
for proper controls and safeguards. But its 260,000 members 
collectively took a deliberate and strong stance for the 
so-called therapeutic cloning which, if allowed to take 
place, may one day lead to cures for many genetic disorders 
such as diabetes and Parkinson’s disease.

The Bush Administration has allowed research to continue 
only on those embryonic stem cell lines that were already 
in existence. But scientists working on cloning new lines 
are not eligible for federal funding. 

The House of Representatives passed a bill earlier this 
year that would completely outlaw all forms human cloning, 
including that used exclusively for medical research. The 
Senate has not taken up the matter yet. 

The AMA’s Dr. Michael Goldrich said the group was not 
trying to go against the president, but is only giving 
guidance to physicians.

Therapeutic cloning involves the production of stem cells 
from the earliest stages of human embryos. The embryos are 
typically obtained from those discarded following in-vitro 
fertilization attempts. 

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that have the 
capability of becoming almost any kind of tissue. They may 
one day be used to grow new human tissue to replace that 
which is defective in almost any organ, including the 
heart, skin, pancreas, or even spinal cord.

Actor Christopher Reeve has been leading a grass roots 
campaign to allow therapeutic cloning because he believes 
the results may help him and others like him who have 
suffered from spinal cord injuries to recover.

Recent research has challenged whether the early embryos 
used for extracting stem cells could ever develop into 
human life. Some physicians believe this may be why the 
AMA, a historically conservative organization, felt bold 
enough to make their recommendation supporting the 
research. 

The group is obviously saying that there is a strong enough 
chance for finding cures that it felt obligated to speak 
out. A National Academy of Sciences panel last year also 
said cloning for research should be allowed.

What remains puzzling is why Bush and many members of 
Congress insist on putting their own personal moral 
objections ahead of the good health of the nation.

The AMA proposal received wide support, but not unanimous 
support from its members. Some doctors, including Dr. John 
McMahon of Helena, Mont. believe such research is 
inappropriate and likened it to abortion.

That’s fine. No doctor is obligated to do research, or even 
use the benefits of research, if they feel a moral 
conviction not to.

In the same way, politicians shouldn’t use their own moral 
compunctions to block important medical research by those 
who do not share those compunctions.

Embryonic stem cell research has vast medical potential. It 
does not destroy human life, because the embryos it uses 
were never meant to grow into humans, and most likely would 
not even be able to. Surveys suggest that most Americans 
have no problem with therapeutic cloning.

That’s why it is baffling that so many of the people in 
power, including our president, would use that power that 
has been given to them by the people to prevent the people 
of this nation from taking advantage of the potential that 
this kind of research offers.