'U' Researchers Oppose Bill Banning Human Cloning
By Bruce Hagevik, NewsRadio 830 WCCO
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The Minnesota legislature is considering a bill making human cloning a felony. But University of Minnesota researchers say it could ban stem cell research.
"It's really important to understand that the University of Minnesota does not, has not and will not perform research for the purposes of human cloning," said Mary Koppel, spokesperson for the Academic Health Center.
NewsRadio 830 WCCO's Bruce Hagevik Reports
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She said any movement affecting stem cell research would be detrimental to a lot of the work being done at the University.
"Absolutely, we do stem cell research. Actually, it's one of the first places in the nation where there were successful bone and blood marrow transplantation. Those are stem cell transplants," said Koppel.
The human cloning ban is a priority of the state's dominant anti-abortion group, Minnesota Citizens Concerned For Life. The bill would make it a felony to attempt, perform or aid in cloning by combining embryonic eggs with the nucleus removed.
But the University remains concerned.
"Closing any door of inquiry is closing a door on the research. You must understand research means hope," said Koppel.
