INDEX TO TESTIMONY

The Bottom-Line First, Do No Harm Stem Cell Research
"Customized" Primordial Stem Cells Impact of H.R. 922 and S. 1599/S. 1601 on Stem Cell Research Protecting Biomedical Research
NBAC Caution and Clinton Administration Position Current Embryo Research Funding Ban Sunset and Preemption
NBAC Role and Commission Medical Benefits of Cloning Technology History of Voluntary Moratoria in Biotechnology Research
Origen Therapeutics, Inc. and Biotechnology Industry Conclusion  
Appendix A: Curriculum Vitae for Dr. Michael D. West and Disclosures Regarding Origen Therapeutics, Inc. and BIO Appendix B: Pledge by Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) to support moratorium on cloning of a human being Appendix C: Pledge by American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) to support moratorium on cloning of a human being
Appendix D: Pledge by the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) to support moratorium on cloning of human beings Appendix E: Pledge by the Society for Developmental Biology (SDB) to support moratorium on cloning of a human being Appendix F: Letter from the American Association of Medical Colleges and others regarding human cloning legislation

 

Mr. Chairman and members of the Subcommittee on Health and Environment. My name is Dr. Michael D. West and I am founder and Chairman of Origen Therapeutics, Inc., a biotechnology company based in South San Francisco, California. A copy of my curriculum vitae is printed in Appendix A.

I am pleased to testify today on legislative proposals regarding the cloning of human beings on behalf of both Origen and the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), which represents 760 biotechnology companies and others engaged in biotechnology research on medicines and diagnostics, agriculture, pollution control, and industrial applications.

It is both unsafe and unethical to even attempt to clone a human being. BIO strongly supported the review of this issue by the National Bioethics Advisory Commission (NBAC) and the moratorium on cloning imposed by President Clinton. BIO believes that the FDA has clear authority and jurisdiction and will, as it has stated, prohibit any attempt to clone a human being. As a person who has dedicated his life to developing treatments for deadly and disabling diseases, I agree with these positions.