U.S. Scientists Claim Early Success in Human Cloning

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, November 26, 2001

U.S. Scientists Claim Early Success in Human Cloning

U.S. researchers announced Sunday that they had cloned human embryos for the first time. Their aim, the scientists say, is not to produce cloned human beings, but to create genetically matched stem cells to treat a wide range of diseases.

The scientists, from Advanced Cell Technology (ACT) in Worcester, Mass., cautioned that results were "preliminary." The three clone embryos they produced stopped developing after dividing into only a few cells, too few to yield medically useful stem cells.

Still, they did say their effort proves the feasibility of cloning human embryos for the creation of stem cells that perfectly match a patient's cells. Scientists believe these stem cells �� young cells that have not grown into specialized tissue �� can be coaxed into becoming replacement cells for patients suffering from Parkinson's, diabetes and other diseases.

"It may be 10 or 20 years off, but this is the only way we have to get embryonic stem cells safely into clinics to help people," says team member Robert Lanza.

Intense controversy has surrounded human cloning since 1997, when Scottish researchers created the cloned sheep Dolly. Some religious leaders have condemned such research as immoral. Others fear it will inevitably lead to people creating fully grown clones of themselves or others. Several states in the U.S. have banned human cloning, and Congress is considering a ban.

"The president has made it very clear that he is opposed to any type of human cloning," White House spokeswoman Jennifer Millerwise said Sunday.

U.S. Congress, Bush Move Toward Banning Cloning

US Congress Votes to Ban All Human Cloning