Rudolf Jaenisch

Reproductive cloning is used to reproduce an entire organism whereas therapeutic cloning is used to create cells and tissues used in medical research. Therapeutic cloning, which could benefit patients with debilitating diseases, should not be banned, argues Rudolf Jaenisch in the following viewpoint, which was originally given as testimony to the Senate Subcommittee of Science, Technology and Space on May 2, 2001. Using therapeutic cloning techniques, claims Jaenisch, doctors will eventually be able to create healthy cells to replace defective cells in patients with diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. The federal government should not ban an area of scientific exploration such as therapeutic cloning to assuage unknown fears when the potential benefits are so great, he contends. A professor of biology and a research scientist, Jaenisch is a member...