Winnowing down the focus on cloning

WASHINGTON - The National Bioethics Advisory Commission (NBAC) is likely to recommend enactment of federal legislation prohibiting the creation of human children by cloning technology, according to NBAC members. The commission has extended its schedule to include a June 7 public meeting at which its recommendations and report to President Clinton will be discussed and voted on.

NBAC members indicated that the panel will take care to limit the proposed ban to the creation of human babies through somatic cell nuclear transfer and to ensure that it will not limit the cloning of animals or research and development of human therapies. It also will suggest that the legislation include a sunset clause, but it may not propose a specific duration...