關(guān)鍵詞： 克隆
生物谷報道：美國兩個黨派包括加州州長施瓦辛格（Arnold Schwarzenegger）和洛杉磯市長威爾瑞喬克（Antonio Villaraigosa）在內(nèi)的政府要員稱他們支持一個由民主黨參議員Dianne Feinstein提議的法案,，該法案在不影響其他干細(xì)胞研究的前提下設(shè)置一個禁止人類生殖性克隆的聯(lián)邦禁令。加州州長施瓦辛格說去年加州通過了一個10年內(nèi)為治療性干細(xì)胞研究提供30億美元的資助,，這已經(jīng)表明了加州支持干細(xì)胞研究的態(tài)度,，但加州支持干細(xì)胞的研究并不表明支持克隆的研究,。在美國，保守派勢力一直致力于反克隆研究,，因此許多美國克隆專家在美國得不到足夠的研究經(jīng)費(fèi),，而不得不遠(yuǎn)走他鄉(xiāng)。相反,，在英國和亞洲的韓國,，中國都大力支持治療性克隆的研究，使治療性克隆研究居于世界前列,。即便如此美國總統(tǒng)仍然嚴(yán)厲禁止任何有關(guān)克隆人的研究,。
A bipartisan group of politicians — including Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa — announced their support for a federal bill that would ban reproductive human cloning without harming embryonic stem cell research.
Schwarzenegger, a Republican, said Tuesday that Californians showed their support last November for stem cell research by approving Proposition 71, which provides $3 billion in state tax-exempt bonds to fund such California-based research for 10 years.
Schwarzenegger also said he supports a Senate bill co-sponsored by Feinstein, a Democrat, that would make human reproductive cloning or attempts to clone humans a federal crime. California already has a state law banning human reproductive cloning.
A competing bill co-sponsored by Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kansas, also would make reproductive human cloning a federal crime, but it would include a ban on somatic cell nuclear transfer or therapeutic cloning.
"The Brownback bill is not designed to promote research and it would stop the California initiative in its tracks," Feinstein said during a news conference at the UCLA Neuroscience Research Building.
Feinstein also urged the Senate to pass a House bill approved by that chamber in May that would expand the number of stem cell lines eligible for federal funding for research.
Therapeutic cloning, which relies on the use of embryonic tissue, produces genetically identical stem cells that can develop into any other type of cell in the body.
Advocates believe the procedure has the potential to provide new treatments and cures for spinal cord injury patients and those suffering from juvenile diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and other debilitating diseases.
Opponents of therapeutic cloning contend the process involves creating human life to destroy it.
U.S. Rep. David Dreier, R-San Dimas, also attended the press conference to voice his support for Feinstein's bill. Dreier said he has talked to President Bush repeatedly about the subject.
"We should pursue all avenues of research," Dreier said. "There is bipartisan commitment on this issue."
Villaraigosa, a UCLA alumnus, said the benefits from stem cell research would be felt far beyond the state.
"We need Washington to stop playing politics that could impact California's efforts to lead the nation in life saving research," the mayor said.
Paul Berg, a Nobel Laureate and professor emeritus at Stanford University, said he supports the ban on human reproductive cloning, but added the government should not hinder scientists' ability to do research.
"We are not cloning people, we are cloning cells to treat patients," he said.
Candace Coffee, a UCLA graduate student who suffers from a rare ailment called Devic's Disease, urged Congress to pass Feinstein's legislation.
Coffee, 26, a former "Miss Bakersfield," became suddenly ill during a trip to Tibet and went blind in one eye. She takes 10 pills a day to ward off the disease's painful symptoms.
"Somatic cell nuclear transfer offers a chance for a cure," she said in a choking voice. "It's a chance for me to lead a normal life. Don't take away my hope."
(責(zé)任編輯：admin)
