Hatch Is Urged to Back Cloning Ban

The Salt Lake Tribune ^ | Wednesday, March 6 2002 | Dawn House

[whee0071]

Hatch Is Urged to Back Cloning Ban Wednesday, March 6, 2002

BY DAWN HOUSE THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

A second pro-life group is targeting Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch to pressure him to support a bill that would ban cloning human embryos for medical research. American Renewal, the lobbying arm of the faith-based Family Research Council, has mailed bright yellow postcards to thousands of Utah homes, charging that Hatch supports efforts to clone human beings to be "killed in medical experimentation." But Hatch spokesman Chris Rosche said Utah's senior senator has taken no position on a bill to ban cloning, which may go before the Senate this month. Rosche said Hatch is meeting with top researchers, studying the scriptures and praying to make up his mind. "We've gotten a couple of calls from the mailings, and we're attempting to correct the misinformation," said Rosche. "It's not surprising when a group puts its spin on an issue, but Sen. Hatch simply has not taken a position on therapeutic cloning." Richard Lessner of Family Research Council, headquartered in Washington, D.C., said the Republican senator's statements in favor of cloning for therapeutic research show he is against the cloning ban. "When you look at Hatch's public statements on therapeutic cloning," said Lessner, "the only logical conclusion that can be made is that he is against the bill to ban cloning." The National Journal's Congress Daily reported in February that Hatch "strongly hinted" he will come out against a bill that would ban all forms of human cloning. The newsletter said Hatch "took pains" in a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee to distinguish between reproductive cloning, intended to produce the live birth of a baby, and therapeutic cloning for medical research. The postcards ask Utah residents to call Hatch's Washington office to urge him to support the bill sponsored by Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kansas, that would ban the cloning of human embryos. Bob Bennett, Utah's other GOP senator, is one of 20 co-sponsors of the Brownback bill.

[whee0071]

This is a couple of days old, but I was alarmed not to see anything come up in the search engine when I looked. Utah is among a handful of key states on this issue, and Senator Hatch is seeking political cover to come out against the ban. It's pro-lifers and a smattering of other interests versus drug companies, disease organizations, and the biotech industry. We need to be searching for and freeping every available media source in Utah right now.

[whee0071]

I would also like to encourage everyone to consider a contribution to fight this cause. I went with National Right to Life, which is putting up some great ads right now, though it's still an uphill battle. Hatch has to be convinced that he'll suffer serious electoral consequences if he refuses to back this ban. Please visit the NRLC website at title here - to make links. You can donate as little as $1, but be SURE to note that you want it to go toward the effort to fight for S.1899's approval.

[whee0071]

Excuse my incompetence: NRLC Donations Page.

[RJCogburn]

versus drug companies, disease organizations, and the biotech industry.

Please add those of us who think there may be huge benefits for many who have the misfortune to have various diseases and conditions that may be reversed by the product of this sort of research.

[gcruse]

Cloning is going to happen. If not here, somewhere else. You can't fight the future.