Gerald Ford on Cloning Legislation

[David Morris]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A61042-2002Jun4.html

Curing, Not Cloning

By Gerald Ford
Wednesday, June 5, 2002; Page A23

It is a troubling paradox of American politics: All too often the issues 
that most cry out for thoughtful, dispassionate consideration are reduced to 
sound bites. Further distorted in the name of ideology or partisanship, they 
can become oversimplified to the point of caricature. The public -- and 
public policy -- suffer, if only because there are some phrases virtually 
guaranteed to polarize any debate before it gets started.

Affirmative action. Reproductive rights. Gay rights. Now you can add cloning 
to the list. For many, the word conjures up sinister images of mad 
scientists laying claim to God-like powers. From there it is a short step 
toward a soulless state, wherein assembly-line man is robbed of his 
individuality by science run amok. It's hard to imagine a more frightening 
scenario.

But is it real? Growing up in Grand Rapids, Mich., I was taught to put my 
faith in God, not government, and never to confuse the two. On the verge of 
my 89th birthday, I am not likely to change this view.

That's why I share the concerns of many about reproductive cloning, which in 
theory, at least, could lead to Dr. Frankenstein's vision of 
laboratory-manufactured humans. To me this is a perversion of science. 
Legislation has been introduced that would outlaw the cloning of human 
beings.

At the same time, this legislation would allow continued research into 
therapeutic cloning -- more precisely known as somatic cell nuclear 
transfer, or nuclear transportation -- a very different branch of science 
that holds limitless potential to improve or extend life for 130 million 
Americans now suffering from some chronic or debilitating condition.





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