Securing a human cloning ban

By Jerry Falwell

A consequential pro-life debate will occur in March, when the U.S. Senate will debate whether to approve legislation to ban the cloning of human embryos.

Subsequently, I am urging my pro-life friends to contact their senators to support the crucial legislation, sponsored by Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., that would ban human cloning. I am also imploring my pro-life friends to oppose what is being called “clone and kill” legislation that is being encouraged by Sens. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, and Diane Feinstein, D-Calif., that would permit the establishment of human embryo farms.

Pro-life citizens should immediately contact both of their senators to encourage them to support the Human Cloning Prohibition Act (S.1899) which would ban the cloning of human embryos. The legislation was passed by the House (265-162) last July.

My heart truly goes out to people who are desperately hoping that research will unveil help (and ultimately cures) for their afflictions. But we simply cannot condone the sacrifice of life in this quest.

Just last week, doctors reported that they have developed artificial wombs wherein embryos are grown outside of the body. Through the extraction of cells from women’s bodies, researchers have fabricated lab prototypes of the womb to which embryos – which will become subjects of experimentation – have successfully attached.

But these embryos are forms of human life. It is imperative that we determine, as a society, to protect all forms of life. And it is equally imperative that we express this point of view to our lawmakers.

Senators’ e-mail addresses may be obtained at the Senate website. When writing, be sure to state your opinions briefly and cordially. In addition, include your return mailing address in e-mails, so that senators understand that you are a constituent. Phone calls should be directed to the Capitol switchboard (202-224-3121) where you can request the offices of your senators.

There’s no need to be apprehensive about calling. One of your senators’ associates will record your position and ensure that the senators receive the information. It is a very powerful way of ensuring that your voice is heard and recognized.

The Pro-Life Infonet states that we should not assume that pro-abortion senators are necessarily opposed to the Brownback legislation, or that every pro-life senator will automatically vote for the Brownback legislation.

In fact, Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., has bravely split with her Democrat colleagues by agreeing to cosponsor the Brownback Senate bill to ban human cloning.

“The risks of human cloning outweigh the potential benefits,” said Landrieu. “There are other technologies available that allow the same medical advances to move forward, without bearing these risks.”

“Sen. Landrieu’s support adds to the groundswell of opposition (90 percent of Americans) to human cloning,” stated Family Research Council President Ken Connor.

As of Feb. 5, 18 senators had sponsored the ban on human cloning. They include: Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., Richard Shelby, R-Ala., Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., Tim Hutchinson, R-Ark., Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., Jim Bunning, R-Ky., Mary Landrieu, D-La., Christopher “Kit” Bond, R-Mo., Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., Jesse Helms, R-N.C., Judd Gregg, R-N.H., Robert Smith, R-N.H., John Ensign, R-Nev., Mike DeWine, R-Ohio, George Voinovich, R-Ohio, James Inhofe, R-Okla., Rick Santorum, R-Pa., and Robert Bennett, R-Utah.

Please write, call or e-mail these senators if you live in their respective states to thank them for their efforts.

Four senators have sponsored the competing “clone and kill” bill (S. 1893) introduced by Sen. Harkin. Mr. Harkin’s co-sponsors are Sens. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., Arlen Specter, R-Pa., and Harry Reid, D-Nev.

In addition, eight senators have sponsored the similar “clone and kill” bill (S. 1758) introduced by Sen. Feinstein. Pro-life leaders are attempting to explain that Feinstein’s legislation is deceptively labeled as a “human cloning prohibition.” It would actually permit so-called “therapeutic cloning,” meaning that it would allow the cloning of human embryos but forbid these embryos to be placed in a womb.

The sponsors of Mrs. Feinstein’s bill are: Sens. Boxer, D-Calif., Zell Miller, D-Ga., Richard Durbin, D-Ill., Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., John Corzine, D-N.J., and Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y.

A number of excellent fact sheets on the human cloning issue have been issued by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. In addition, “Americans to Ban Cloning,” a newly created coalition of anti-cloning groups, has launched a website containing abundant information.

Jerry Falwell

Rev. Jerry Falwell, a nationally recognized Christian minister and television show host, was the founder of Jerry Falwell Ministries and chancellor of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va. Read more of Jerry Falwell's articles here.