A group of U.S. senators has a proposal it says will alleviate fears of stem cell research. But critics say it would do just the opposite.
A bipartisan group of senators introduced legislation April 21 banning “human reproductive cloning” while simultaneously allowing embryonic stem cells to be used for medical research.
Proponents hope the proposal can walk the delicate line between scientists who maintain that access to the stem cells is vital to advancing health care and some conservative groups that fear such research debases the sanctity of human life.
“Stem cell research—particularly embryonic stem cell research—holds great promise,” said Utah Republican senator Orrin Hatch, one of the chief cosponsors of the bill. “[It] could potentially be the scientific advance that takes the practice of medicine not just to the next level, but to five or ten levels above and beyond.”