[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 34 (Tuesday, March 4, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E355]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HUMAN CLONING PROHIBITION ACT OF 2003

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                               speech of

                             HON. DAVID WU

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 27, 2003

  Mr. WU. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to state that I am strongly pro-
choice. I am strongly pro stem cell research. I have profound 
discomfort in opposing many of my former professors by supporting the 
Weldon/Stupak bill. But, difficult as it may be, I have no hesitation 
in following both my heart and my head in this matter. I urge support 
of the Weldon/Stupack bill, and reluctantly urge defeat of the 
Greenwood/Deutsch substitute bill.
  I think this is a time to pause. This is a subject that behooves 
caution, and we must take time to let our ethics catch up with our 
technology. Our technology has gotten to the point where we are talking 
about genetic mixes, chimeras of human and animal cells, and other 
procedures with which Americans have a reasonable and profound 
discomfort.
  Many scientists say it is incredibly dangerous to stop any form of 
experimentation. However, I submit to you that we do stop certain forms 
of experimentation. We no longer permit certain kinds of head trauma 
experiments on non-human primates that potentially could protect us in 
vehicle accidents. The nuclear test ban treaty is nothing but a 
cessation of certain forms of experimentation. And many scientists were 
in favor of the destruction of the last stocks of smallpox, which would 
have stopped experimentation on that virus.
  There are times when it is important to pause, to pull back, and to 
deeply consider an issue before proceeding. I differ with the chairman 
in that perhaps in five or ten years our science and our ethics may 
lead us to a different conclusion than the ban on cloning we are 
debating today. Perhaps both our science and our ethics will lead us to 
the same conclusion we reach today. We should come back and force 
Congress to reexamine and address this issue again in five or ten 
years.
  On the issue of cloning, no one can make a sure and permanent claim 
to truth and rectitude.




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