For Immediate Release
Contact: Senator David Johnson
Wednesday, Feb. 14,
2007 (712)
758-3280
Johnson Votes Against Human
Cloning
DES MOINES – On a 26-24 vote
Wednesday, the Democrat-controlled Iowa Senate passed legislation that removed Iowa’s ban on human
cloning.
State Senator David Johnson voted against lifting the ban.
“Simply put, Iowans have been sold a bill of goods that cannot be delivered,”
the Ocheyedan Republican said.
“What the supporters of this
bill do not want you to hear is that this legislation is not needed, period,”
said Johnson. “They claim the repeal on cloning is necessary so that they
can do research on stem cells. The facts are that scientists in this
state can already do research on stem cells, including embryonic stem cells.”
Iowa’s ban on human cloning, which was passed with
bipartisan support in 2002, is silent on the issue of embryonic stem cell
research. Johnson, then a representative, voted for the ban. This
allowed researchers in Iowa
to continue searching for answers. The question before the Senate this
week was whether to lift the ban on human cloning.
Senate Republicans offered an
amendment that returned the bill to banning human cloning.
“Unfortunately, the majority party put campaign promises ahead of sound policy
decisions for Iowa,”
said Johnson.
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