Washington Editor

WASHINGTON - A group of senators that in recent weeks introduced legislation designed to support therapeutic cloning while banning human cloning reportedly are working on a compromise aimed at appeasing legislators who seek to criminalize all cloning.

The Washington Post on Thursday reported that several senators, led by Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), are drafting new language that specifies what researchers would be allowed to do in the field of human embryo cloning.

A Senate debate and vote on cloning is expected within the next couple of weeks. Last summer the House approved in a 265-162 vote a bill introduced by Rep. Dave Weldon (R-Fla.) calling for a ban on both therapeutic and human cloning. (See BioWorld Today, Aug. 6, 2001, and Nov. 27, 2001.)

And now it's the Senate's turn.

Two bills have picked up support in the Senate. The bill introduced by Feinstein that allows therapeutic cloning was co-sponsored by Sens. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.), Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) and Orrin Hatch (R-Utah).

The legislation that criminalizes cloning - including therapeutic cloning - was introduced by Sens. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) and Mary Landrieu (D-La.). President Bush supports that bill.

Many scientists argue that therapeutic cloning applications could lead to revolutionary therapies for Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injuries, diabetes, heart disease and other debilitating conditions.

Others disagree, saying there are other research approaches and therapies available, thus abrogating the need or desire for human embryonic stem cell research. (See BioWorld Today, April 11, 2002, and May 2, 2002.)