Celebrities Speak Against Human Cloning at Hill Press Briefing

On April 10, Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) opened up the press conference in support of a ban on the use of human clones in research in the Senate Dirksen Office Building.

After welcoming the press and outlining the issue and his legislation, which would ban human cloning in medical research, Senator Brownback introduced Serrin Foster, president of Feminists for Life of America.

SERRIN FOSTER:

Good morning. My name is Serrin Foster. I serve as president of Feminists for Life of America.

Patricia Heaton is best known for her role as Debra in the hit CBS comedy, "Everybody Loves Raymond." Her television credits also include "Someone Like Me," "thirtysomething," and "Women of the House."

Her film credits include "Beethoven" and "Miracle in the Woods"

In real life she is also wife and mother of four beautiful boys.

Patty has been recognized by her peers with back-to-back Emmys for Outstanding Actress in a Lead Role in a comedy series.

It is my pleasure and honor to introduce twice winning Emmy winner, and Feminists for Life's Honorary Chair, Patricia Heaton.

PATRICIA HEATON:

There are few things as momentous as the crossroad we reach today. Scientists are capable of creating human life, and now propose to destroy those lives for the possible benefit of another.

As honorary chair of Feminists for Life, I am here today to refuse to choose between creating a new class of humans solely for experimentation, and those who would benefit from research.

This research also raises serious ethical questions about the exploitation of women - especially in regard to the demand for eggs for the cloning of embryos.

The good news is that there is promising, ethical research that does not require the systematic manufacture and destruction of humans for science.

Suffragist organizer Elizabeth Cady Stanton, whose statue sits down the street in the Capitol building strongly criticized the destruction of newly formed humans saying they are not "property to be disposed of as we see fit." The proper role of medical research is to eradicate illness, not create and destroy human beings.

In keeping with core feminist principles of nonviolence, nondiscrimination and justice for all, Feminists for Life is proud to support Senator Brownback's and Senator Landrieu's bill, which would ban human cloning research.

Thank you.

SERRIN FOSTER:

Born and raised in New York, Margaret Colin has an impressive history of roles in television, theatre and film.

Her credits include "Three Men and a Baby," "Independence Day" "The Butcher's Wife," and "The Devil's Own."

Margaret has also portrayed Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in "Jackie," a hit Broadway show. She has also appeared in several television series, including "Chicago Hope," "Foley Square," "Now and Again," "Madigan Men," and made for television movies, "Familiar Stranger," "The Wedding Dress" and "Swing Vote." Currently she is in rehearsal for a play entitled, "House and Garden," which will open soon in New York.

It is my privilege to introduce the Honorary Co Chair of Feminists for Life of America, Margaret Colin.

MARGARET COLIN:

Disease and disability affect every family in America. It has been my honor and privilege to support research for breast cancer, pediatric aids, and juvenile diabetes. My husband, actor Justin Deas is committed to raising funds in order to bring about a cure for ALS after a friend and colleague died from Lou Gehrig's disease. Like most Americans, we are committed to finding a cure for debilitating diseases and relieve human suffering.

We all understand the importance of medical research. We hear the voices of those who suffer. Fortunately, we can move forward with exciting alternative sources including stem cells acquired from consenting adults, women donating placenta and umbilical cord blood donation - even fat. We do not need to go to extreme measures by making and destroying life while we all want to protect and improve it.

The feminist pioneer Mary Wollstonecraft, who in 1792 wrote the landmark book, "The Vindication of the Rights of Women," prophetically warned, "Nature in everything deserves respect," and cautioned " those who violate her laws seldom violate them with impunity." This woman, who championed the rights of women and condemned the destruction of embryos, died giving birth to her second daughter. Named Mary after her mother, she too, became a great writer. Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley fictionalized her mother's warning through her classic novel, "Frankenstein."

Manipulating the laws of nature for the benefit of some at the expense of another is never justifiable, and never without risk. On behalf of Feminists for Life, I urge members of the deliberative body, the Senate, to hear the prophetic voices of Wollstonecraft and Shelley and support the proposed ban on human cloning for research.