Christian Medical Association: "Dolly" cloner Wilmut finally gets it

Bristol, TN, November 19, 2007--Dr. David Stevens, CEO of the 15,000-member Christian Medical Association, today said that Dolly the sheep cloner Ian Wilmut's decision to back off human cloning and instead pursue ethical adult stem cell research validates what adult stem cell research advocates have been saying for years.

Dr. Stevens said, "We're heartened to hear that Ian Wilmut has finally come to realize that human cloning is not a viable path to curing patients, and that adult stem cells are the key to real hope and help for patients. Pro-life advocates for years have been pointing out many of the practical problems that finally led Mr. Wilmut to just say 'no' to human cloning as a source for embryonic stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are difficult to establish and maintain; their differentiation to the type of cells desired is tough to control; it's hard to get a pure culture; they form tumors and are genetically unstable and often functionally abnormal.

"If those aren't enough roadblocks to human cloning for embryonic stem cells, the huge number of human eggs required from women makes the research utterly impractical. Besides the ethical problem of subjecting women to the egg harvesting process, we would add the crucial observation that embryonic stem cells are immoral to use when obtained by destroying human life."

"While honorable scientists stick to the evidence, some grant-seeking researchers, companies and institutions have fleeced the American public by unconscionably hyping the prospects for human cloning and embryonic stem cell research. By making irresponsible claims about cures, these 'Madison Avenue scientists' have convinced politicians and deceived voters to fund their scientifically questionable and unethical embryonic stem cell and human cloning research. With a finite amount of funding, that means less money has gone toward worthy adult stem cell research already proven to help real patients.

"As the smoke of groundless hype begins to clear, even ardent advocates of embryonic stem cell research are now forced to concede that embryonic stem cell research is simply not an efficient route to real help for real patients. Meanwhile, suffering patients who could be helped now or in the near future by adult stem cells are instead forced to wait while their tax dollars are diverted to highly speculative embryonic stem cell projects.

"The Christian Medical Association represents thousands of physicians who treat patients who could be cured or helped by adult stem cell research. Like the suffering patients we treat, we know first-hand how vitally important it is to make the right choices in funding promising stem cell research. That's why we say it's time to end this injustice and put our money where the cures are—in adult stem cells."

To schedule an interview, please contact Becky Waruszewski at (423) 844-1048 or by e-mail: becky.warus@cmda.org . The Christian Medical Association is equipped with Ku Band Digital Uplink satellite and ISDN lines.