I have learned of the Brownback-Landrieu Senate bill and H.R. 2505 in the House of Representatives, both of which propose criminalizing all cloning. If they are passed as written, these pieces of legislation would mean a serious setback to medical research.

One of the great scientific accomplishments of our time, therapeutic cloning, or nuclear transplantation, presents promising new opportunities for the treatment of many serious illnesses and injuries that have long plagued the world. These include heart disease, Parkinson's, and spinal cord injury just to name a few.

Though I fully support banning reproductive cloning, I strongly oppose any restrictions on therapeutic cloning. I hope that some agreement will be reached to eliminate the threat that these House and Senate bills pose to the advancement of medical research for therapeutic purposes.

Sincerely,

Jimmy Carter