February 8, 2007

HIGHLITES FROM THE SENATE

SENATOR MARK ZIEMAN

One of the more troubling bills introduced this session is Senate File 115, which would remove existing language in the Iowa Code that now prohibits human cloning. This cloning ban was adopted in a bipartisan fashion and signed into law by Governor Vilsack in 2002. The legislature enacted this ban due to the serious ethical and technological problems posed by human cloning. Doctor and former Senator Redwine led the charge for this legislation in 2002.

In 1998, the United Nations passed a resolution recognizing that human cloning removed the dignity to humanity for many reasons. The resolution further indicated that medical research resources would be better applied to the treatment of diseases. The American Medical Association agreed.

There is nothing in the Iowa Code that forbids stem cell research and I support this type of research. What I do not support is cloning, no matter how it is disguised. I have seen no information that would convince me there is a need for human cloning at this time.

Governor Culver and former Governor Vilsack are now ignoring popular opinion and recommendations from the medical community by supporting the proposal that would allow human cloning.

Senator Redwine has moved on and we are now ably advised by Senator Hartsuch, who is also a medical doctor. Senator Hartsuch is adamant that human cloning is not needed and poses many ethical problems. There is no doubt in my mind that there are underlying political reasons for this bill, but that is the world I serve in.

Representative Quirk and I will host a town meeting in Fredericksburg on Saturday, February 17th, at the City Library. We will be there from 9:00 am to 10:00 a.m. Please join us for coffee and conversation.

SENATOR MARK ZIEMAN
Senate District 8

For further information or clarification, please contact me at the Capitol (515) 281-3371 or at my home (563) 864-3104