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For Immediate Release: April 22nd, 2004 Contact: Contact: Jordan Isenstadt (c) 516.991.3842 (w) 212.490.9535 (f) 212.490.2151 ***PRESS
RELEASE*** State Senator Liz Krueger
Introduces Comprehensive Cloning
Legislation New York, NY – On Monday, April 19th,
State Senator Liz Krueger (D-Manhattan) introduced S. 7064, a groundbreaking
bill that would amend the public health law, by placing clear guidelines on
stem cell, embryonic, and fetal tissue research, and prohibiting human
cloning. “We can no longer ignore
this important twenty-first century issue,” said Senator Krueger. “We live in a time of tremendous medical progress,” stated
Senator Krueger. “We are on
the threshold of historic breakthroughs against chronic, degenerative and
acute diseases. Stem cell research
has clearly shown its potential to do incredible good for humankind. The bill that I have proposed aims to encourage
and support these scientific advances, while officially banning human
cloning. Furthermore, the legislation
puts strong guidelines on the books to protect New Yorkers from possible
abuse of human genetic material.” An estimated 128 million Americans suffer from the
crippling economic and psychological burden of chronic, degenerative, and
acute diseases, including juvenile diabetes, Parkinson's disease, cancer and
Alzheimer's disease. Stem cell
research or therapeutic cloning offers immense promise for developing
new medical therapies, treatments and cures for these debilitating diseases
and a critical means to explore fundamental questions of biology. “This year we mark the sixth anniversary of when
scientists reported the successful isolation and culturing of human embryonic
stem cells,” said Senator Krueger.
“In the years ahead these advances will take us to places that we
never could have imagined. We must
embrace this progress and work towards the ethical usage of this landmark
technology.” Senator Krueger’s legislation would also strictly
prohibit human cloning, which means the practice of attempting to create a
new human being from raw genetic material.
Violators of this statute would be guilty of a Class B felony and
could be subject to a fine of up to $250,000. Senator Krueger’s legislation creates a thorough
and comprehensive set of guidelines that anticipates potential abuses of
therapeutic cloning. Specific
standards of informed consent are created between physicians and potential
donors that both parties must agree to.
In addition the legislation spells out that human genetic material is
to be treated with the utmost respect and sensitivity. Strict civil penalties are outlined for
those who do not adhere to the rules of informed consent. New York's
biomedical industry is a critical component of the state's economy, as it
provides substantial employment, pays substantial wages and salaries, invests
billions in research and reports billions in worldwide revenue. “We in New York are lucky enough to have a
fairly accomplished biomedical sector,” remarked Senator Krueger. “With the passage of this bill, New York
State will be able to move to the forefront of stem cell research and we will
surely reap the benefits of future economic development.” Therapeutic
cloning involves removing the nucleus of a human egg cell and replacing it
with the nucleus from a patient's body cell, such as a skin cell. The egg is
then artificially stimulated, causing the egg to develop in a way similar to
an embryo fertilized by sperm.
Scientists envision extracting stem cells -- which have the potential
to turn into every type of cell in the human body -- from the cloned embryo
so that it would be a perfect transplant match for the patient. Britain recently became the first country
to legalize therapeutic cloning. The move allows scientists to create cloned
embryos only for purposes of extracting stem cells for medical research. The
extraction, which is done when the embryo is a few days old, means the clones
cannot develop into babies. Under the
guidelines set forth by Senator Krueger’s legislation, the embryos are
only allowed to develop until they are 14 days old. “Several
states and countries have already passed laws to regulate cloning,” said Senator
Krueger, “and New York must officially go on record in order to prevent
possible abuses. Good public policy
will result in ethical and reasonable scientific progress.” The
legislation further proposes the creation of a twelve-member advisory Commission
on Cloning & Therapeutic Research.
Members would be appointed by the Governor, the Temporary President of
the Senate, the Speaker of the Assembly, as well as the Minority Leaders of
the Senate and Assembly. Commission
membership must include four scientists involved in stem cell and therapeutic
cloning research, two physicians, two medical ethicists, two patients or
former patients involved in stem cell or fertility treatment, one health care
provider and one patients rights advocate.
“Forward thinking states should pass forward
thinking legislation,” stated Senator Krueger. “The legislation that I have proposed puts
a system in place that would appropriately regulate and support therapeutic
cloning. The bill features strong
consumer protections, the creation of a well-rounded commission and a
thorough statement of informed consent.
The time has come in New York State for us to recognize the importance
of genetic technology and the need to pass sensitive, yet effective
legislation.” -30- |
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