Senator Buehrer

Cosponsors: Senators Carey, Coughlin, Gardner, Schuler

A BILL To amend section 3701.99 and to enact section 3701.94 of the Revised Code to prohibit human cloning in the state of Ohio.

Cloning is short for Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT). SCNT is a three-step process. First, an unfertilized egg is taken from a woman and its nucleus is removed. Next, genetic material (DNA) from the patient is placed inside the vacated egg. Chemicals are then added and a spark of electricity jolts the cell into dividing and growing into a cloned human embryo.

Many politicians support "therapeutic cloning" done for research. But they say they oppose "reproductive cloning" done "to produce babies." What is the difference? Not a thing. There is no difference in the cloning. The cloning being undertaken is each case is the same (somatic cell nuclear transfer). All cloning reproduces a human being at the embryonic stage. Therefore, all cloning is reproductive cloning and we must oppose it.