Orrin Hatch: “I agree with Dr. White that we should try to find a way to ban cloning of human beings but do so in a way that allows…”

“I agree with Dr. White that we should try to find a way to ban cloning of human beings but do so in a way that allows, to the extent ethically proper, valuable research to continue. In these type of debates many of us value the opinion of my good friend and colleague from Tennessee, Senator Frist. As a physician he brings a unique perspective to issues of science and medicine. He is also a co-sponsor of S. 1601, the bill pending before this body. Let me also share with you a letter I sent to Senator Frist on this bill. It is a short letter which I ask unanimous consent to insert in the Record at this point: U.S. Senate, Committee on the Judiciary, Washington, DC, February 6, 1998. Hon. Bill Frist, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. Dear Bill: I am following the debate on the human cloning bill very closely. My interest is twofold: As Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, I have a special responsibility for considering any legislation such as S. 1601 that creates new criminal penalties. In addition, my long-standing interest in biomedical research and ethics compels me to understand a bill which has such far ranging public health consequences.”