William Helms: “the distinguished Senators Bond and Frist are to be commended in introducing the underlying legislation to ban human…”

“the distinguished Senators Bond and Frist are to be commended in introducing the underlying legislation to ban human cloning and the creation of human embryos. Congress must make unmistakably clear that human life is too precious and valuable to be cheapened by a medical procedure which replicates human beings. Millions of Americans believe that human cloning is inconsistent with the moral responsibility that is incumbent upon modern medical technology. Put simply, so-called medical ``advances'' are not advances at all unless the dignity and sanctity of all human life are preserved. It is meaningful, I think, that the Senate's only physician has sponsored this bill. I appreciate Senator Frist's willingness to offer his medical expertise to the American people by setting the record straight about the travesty of human cloning. Mr. President, the overwhelming consensus among professionals in the medical industry confirms that human cloning is unethical and immoral. NIH Director Harold Vamus stated that he personally agrees with numerous polls evidencing the public's opinion that cloning human beings is ``repugnant.'' Indeed, Mr. President, the American people are outraged by the hubris of a fringe element of the medical community wishing to pursue human cloning--and they are demanding action. In fact, some states have already introduced similar legislation to the one before us that would ban human cloning.”