The flurry of anti-cloning legislation

WASHINGTON - Although three bills have been introduced in Congress to ban cloning of humans, most lawmakers seem to be heeding President Clinton's call to defer legislative action on human cloning until the National Bioethics Advisory Commission (NBAC) completes its report on the issue. Several state legislatures, however, are considering bills that would prohibit cloning humans and, in some cases, other biotechnology research.

Concern over the possibility that breakthroughs in cloning mammals could lead to the cloning of humans has prompted legislators in at least 11 states to introduce at least 14 bills banning the cloning of a human. Some of the legislation could have unintended consequences, including limiting the ability of scientists to conduct research on genetic therapies and tests...