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Welcome to
GENETIC CROSSROADS #18
June 21, 2001
Supporting responsible uses of human genetic technologies
Opposing the new techno-eugenics
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For subscription and submission information, see end of message.
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CONTENTS
I. EDITORS' NOTE
II. TWO BILLS: A REAL CLONING BAN AND A BAN THAT ISN'T ONE
III. OTHER NEWS
1. Council for Responsible Genetics Rejects Embryo Manipulation
2. Demonstration Against Human Cloning at G8 Meeting
3. NGOs Oppose Human Cloning and Genetic Modification at
World
Health Assembly
4. Canada Calls for Global Bans on Human Cloning, Germline
Modification
IV. UPCOMING EVENTS
1. Beyond Biodevastation / Biojustice, San Diego, June 22-27
2. Beyond Cloning Conference, Boston, September 21-22
V. RESOURCES
1. ** New Human Genetic Engineering Listserv **
2. Database of Global Policies on Human Cloning and Germline
Engineering Now on the Web
3. Greenpeace Website Lists Patent Applications for Human
Embryos
4. "Why We Should Ban Human Cloning Now" by Leon
Kass
5. "Altered Genes" Second Edition Available
VI. ABOUT GENETIC CROSSROADS
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I. EDITORS' NOTE
The politics of human cloning have been in rapid flux in the
US this
month. Congress has heard from supporters and opponents of cloning
at
several recent committee hearings and briefings. The biotech industry
is mobilizing once more to defeat any meaningful ban on human
cloning.
The House of Representatives is expected to vote on cloning legislation
within the next six weeks; the Senate will take it up this fall.
A June 14 briefing sponsored by Progressive Caucus Chair Dennis
Kucinich
was organized by the Exploratory Initiative on the New Human Genetic
Technologies and the International Center for Technology Assessment.
Testimony from progressives and feminists at that event and at
a June
20 committee hearing should help dispel the mistaken idea, repeated
recently in several prominent media reports, that opposition to
human
cloning is confined to those who also oppose abortion rights.
This issue of Genetic Crossroads describes the two key bills
before the
House. In the next issue, a special edition out soon, we'll discuss
the
political situation and suggest what people opposed to human cloning
can do.
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II. TWO BILLS: A REAL CLONING BAN AND A BAN THAT ISN'T ONE
Two bills are the focus of cloning politics in the US right
now. One is
the Human Cloning Prohibition Action of 2001 (HR 1644) introduced
by Rep.
David Weldon (R-FL). It calls for permanent bans on both the creation
of
clonal human embryos and their use to produce a fully formed human
clone.
The other, the Cloning Prohibition Act of 2001 (HR 2172), was
introduced
by Rep. James Greenwood (R-PA). It provides for a 10-year moratorium
on
producing cloned human beings followed by an automatic "sunset."
It also
requires that anyone intending to produce cloned human embryos
for
research purposes inform the federal government, and promise not
to use
them to produce fully formed human clones.
The Greenwood bill is remarkable in two regards. First, no
other nation
that bans reproductive cloning--there are more than three dozen
of them--
sets a date for the ban to expire. In those countries, a ban is
a ban.
Why include a 10-year sunset provision, unless to suggest that
creating
human clones might in fact be acceptable after all?
Second, the Greenwood bill represents an end-run around the
critical
policy issue of whether producing human embryos by cloning should
be
allowed. Its rationale is that the "registration" procedure
it sets
up would guard against covert attempts to create cloned human
beings.
If techniques to produce clonal embryos were refined, achieving
the
birth of human clones would not present any major technical hurdles.
Many people believe that human embryo cloning is a threshold that
should
never be crossed, or that it should be allowed only after strict
bans
on reproductive cloning have been put in place globally, and after
all
alternative research avenues have been exhausted.
The Greenwood bill would in effect facilitate the human cloning
agenda.
Its 10-year moratorium would prevent "premature" cloning
attempts such
as those announced by the Raelians--attempts likely to result
in the
birth of children with the kind of serious or lethal anomalies
seen in
many cloned animals. But it would give a green light to the development
of "safe" techniques that would make human clones possible.
The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) has said that
it too
opposes reproductive human cloning. But it would clearly prefer
a
Greenwood-type moratorium to a ban, and it strongly supports embryo
cloning. BIO's relationship to Greenwood is suggested by its having
named him its 1998 "Legislator of the Year."
In contrast to Greenwood's bill, Weldon's is straightforward.
It bans
the creation of both fully formed human clones and clonal embryos.
It
allows research on embryonic stem cells: The only technique it
prohibits
is the transfer of a cell nucleus into a female egg.
Though most of the support for the Weldon bill to date has
come from
opponents of abortion rights, many progressives and feminists
support
the cloning policies it would enact. Speakers on the Hill during
the
past two weeks who represent those political views included Judy
Norsigian, Boston Women's Health Book Collective; Dr. Stuart Newman,
Council for Responsible Genetics; Andrew Kimbrell, International
Center
for Technology Assessment; and Richard Hayes, Exploratory Initiative
on the New Human Genetic Technologies.
The texts of the Greenwood and Weldon bills are available at
<http://thomas.loc.gov>. Search for "human cloning."
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III. OTHER NEWS
1. Council for Responsible Genetics Rejects Embryo Manipulation
CRG has issued a "Statement on Embryo Research" calling
for bans on
certain experimental manipulations of and commercialization of
human
eggs and embryos. Among the technologies it opposes are embryo
cloning
and any production of human embryos solely for purposes of research.
The statement begins, "The Council for Responsible Genetics
unequivocally
supports a woman's right to make her own reproductive decisions.
However,
because of the potential for eugenic applications and health risks
to
women and their offspring, we oppose the utilization of human
eggs and
embryos for experimental manipulations and as items of commerce."
The
complete statement is available at <www.gene-watch.org>.
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2. Demonstration Against Human Cloning at G8 Meeting
About 200 people demonstrated against human cloning at a June
2 meeting
of the G8 science ministers in Montmagny, Quebec. The protesters
called
for an immediate end to all research on human embryos and cloning.
A
representative of Greenpeace Canada and another protester gave
a list
of demands to Gilbert Normand, Canada's Secretary of State for
Science,
Research and Development.
<http://cbc.ca/cgi-bin/templates/view.cgi?/news/2001/06/02/cloning_010602>
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3. NGOs Oppose Human Cloning and Genetic Modification at World
Health
Assembly
A coalition of non-governmental organizations presented a statement
on
human genetics to the governments and NGO delegates at the May
meeting
of the World Health Association in Geneva. The statement, endorsed
by
dozens of NGOs and individuals, asked that WHA take the lead,
in
partnership with civil society, in addressing the critical dangers
posed by proposals to begin human cloning and the modification
of the
genes we pass to our children.
The statement was prepared in collaboration by representatives
of the
Exploratory Initiative on the New Human Genetic Technologies,
Human
Genetics Alert, the Blueridge Institute, Institute for Agriculture
and
Trade Policy, and Rural Advancement Federation International.
More info:
Contact the Exploratory Initiative, <humanfuture@publicmedia.org>.
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4. Canada Calls for Global Bans on Human Cloning, Germline Modification
At recent international meetings, senior Canadian officials
have called
for global bans on human cloning, germline modification, and several
other genetic and reproductive practices. Canada is now considering
a
national law that would ban human cloning, germline alteration,
gender
selection, animal-human hybrids, the creation of embryos solely
for the
purpose of research, and commercial surrogacy.
Speaking to the World Health Assembly on May 15, Health Minister
Allan
Rock called for an international cloning ban. The Assembly is
the UN
body that sets the programs of the World Health Organization.
Rock
characterized cloning as one of a number of unethical reproductive
practices that are "inconsistent with human dignity and integrity."
He recommended that individual governments address these issues
through
domestic legislation but added that "a collective international
effort
is also necessary" to prevent "reproductive tourism."
Rock said
reaction to the proposal was very positive.
At the June meeting of the G8 science ministers where demonstrators
marched to protest human cloning, Canadian Secretary of State
for
Science, Research and Development Gilbert Normand said Canada
would
take the lead in convincing G8 members that human cloning should
be
prohibited worldwide. He also spoke against intellectual property
rights to information on the human genome.
More info: <www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/archives/speeches/14may2001mine.htm>
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IV. UPCOMING EVENTS
1. Beyond Biodevastation / Biojustice, San Diego, June 22-27
June 22 & 23: "Beyond Biodevastation" Teach-in
To Celebrate Biodiversity
and Question Genetic Engineering. The fifth grassroots gathering
of its
kind features speakers, panels, and workshops on the genetic engineering
of plants, animals, and humans; and entertainment.
June 24: Public Rally for Biojustice. Gather and march for
health care,
an equitable food system, sustainability and biodiversity.
June 25-27: Biotechnology Industry Organization convention.
Nonviolent
direct action: Mutant vegetable party-crashers! Guerrilla organic
gardening! GE food labeling brigades! Street Theater! Poetry!
Information <www.biodev.org>.
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2. Beyond Cloning Conference, Boston, September 21-22
"Beyond Cloning: Protecting Humanity from Species-Altering
Experiments"
will focus on the sorts of policies, legislation, international
accords,
and political work that will be needed, domestically and internationally,
to prevent the new human genetic technologies from being used
in ways
that would alter the human species. We encourage everyone concerned
about the new "techno-eugenics" to consider attending.
At Boston University Conference Auditorium, George Sherman
Union.
Sponsored by Health Law Dept, Boston University School of Public
Health.
Confirmed Speakers (partial list): Lori Andrews, Chicago-Kent
School
of Law; George Annas, Chair, Health Law Department, Boston University
School of Public Health; Patricia Baird, University of British
Columbia
and former Chair, Canadian Royal Commission on New Reproductive
Technologies; Michael Grodin, Boston University and Global Lawyers
and Physicians; Richard Hayes, Exploratory Initiative on the New
Human
Genetic Technologies; Rosario Isasi, Global Lawyers and Physicians
(Peru); Eric Juengst, Cleveland-Case Western Reserve University;
Steven
Mark, FXB Center, Harvard School of Public Health; Stuart Newman,
Cell
Biology and Anatomy, New York Medical College; Alex Capron, University
of Southern California.
For further information, contact Evelyne Shuster, Conference
Director,
at <EvelyneShuster1@msn.com>.
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V. NEW RESOURCES
1. ** New Human Genetic Engineering Listserv **
A new listserv on human genetic engineering is dedicated to
news and
information on cloning, germline modification, stem cell research,
and
other aspects of human genetic engineering. To subscribe, type:
subscribe human-ge
in the body of a message addressed to <listserv@iatp.org>.
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2. Database of Global Policies on Human Cloning and Germline
Engineering
Now on the Web
A comprehensive and up-to-date listing of national and international
legislation on human cloning and germline engineering is now available
at the website of Global Lawyers and Physicians for Human Rights,
<www.glphr.org/genetic/genetic.htm>.
The database was prepared by Rosario Isasi, JD, Health Law
Dept, Boston
University School of Public Health. Comments and suggestions welcome.
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3. Greenpeace Website Lists Patent Applications for Human Embryos
Greenpeace Germany, with the support of the organization "Kein
Patent auf
Leben!" ("No Patents on Life!"), reviewed more
than a thousand patent
applications filed in 1999 and 2000 at the European Patent Office
(EPO).
Among the results: Two patents involving human embryos have
already been
granted by the EPO, one to the University of Edinburgh and the
other to
the Australian company Amrad.
The study also revealed at least ten more patent applications
involving
human embryos; nine that refer to germ cell manipulation, including
human
germ cells; ten that cover human-animal-chimera-embryos; and more
than
30 for methods that could be used to genetically modify or clone
humans.
Thanks to Florianne Koechlin, Blueridge Institute,
<www.blauen-institut.ch>. More info: <www.greenpeace.org>.
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4. "Why We Should Ban Human Cloning Now" by Leon Kass
"Why We Should Ban Human Cloning Now: Preventing a Brave
New World,"
The New Republic, 17 May 2001. An eloquent article by a social
conservative. <www.thenewrepublic.com/052101/kass052101_print.html>
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5. "Altered Genes" Second Edition Available
"Altered Genes II: The Future?," edited by Richard
Hindmarsh and Geoffrey
Lawrence. Twelve essays from Australia and New Zealand; introduction
by
David Suzuki. This revised edition of the 1998 anthology that
sold out
in six months offers an up-to-date account of the ethical, social,
and
ecological issues arising from biotechnology and genetic engineering.
Available in North America from Paul & Company Publishers
Consortium,
Inc. (For orders 800-888-4741; other inquiries 312-337-0747; email
<frontdesk@ipgbook.com>). Available elsewhere from Scribe
Publications
(tel 03 9349 5955; fax 03 9348 2752; email <scribe@bigpond.net.au>.
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VI. ABOUT GENETIC CROSSROADS (formerly Techno-Eugenics Email Newsletter)
This newsletter originated in 1999 out of the concerns of academics,
activists, and others in the San Francisco Bay Area about the
direction
of the new human genetic and reproductive technologies. It is
published
by the Exploratory Initiative on the New Human Genetic Technologies,
a
public interest organization working to alert the public and leaders
of
civil society about the urgent need for societal oversight of
these
technologies and the dangers of the techno-eugenic vision.
We support genetic and reproductive technologies that serve
the public
interest. We oppose those--especially human germline engineering
and
human reproductive cloning--that would be likely to exacerbate
inequality,
the commercialization of reproduction, and the commodification
of human
genes and tissues.
GENETIC CROSSROADS is published approximately once a month.
Feedback,
submissions, and suggestions are welcome. Marcy Darnovsky will
moderate.
Please forward GENETIC CROSSROADS to others who may be interested.
Exploratory Initiative staff, San Francisco:
Marcy Darnovsky, Ph.D. <teel@adax.com>
Richard Hayes, M.A. <rhayes@publicmediacenter.org>
Tania Simoncelli, M.S. <tania@publicmediacenter.org>
Jesse Reynolds, M.S. <reynolds@nature.berkeley.edu>
Exploratory Initiative staff, Washington DC:
Douglas Hunt, Ph.D. <dhunt@hgtinitiative.org>
To subscribe, unsubscribe, and for all other communications:
<teel@adax.com>
To unsubscribe send the message "unsubscribe no-cal" to <majordomo@geneticcrossroads.org>.