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CNN Live At Daybreak

Legal Briefs: Coffey Talk

Aired December 30, 2002 - 06:40   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: And we want to talk more about cloning with our favorite legal analyst Kendall Coffey with the latest developments on this. And now on this big rush, Kendall, to pass some type of legislation in the U.S., I don't know how much good that would do overseas, U.S. legislation. But you know, Kendall, it's so complicated, this cloning issue, from the type of cloning that the scientists have been discussing over the weekend being confused with the cloning that Clonaid is talking about.
KENDALL COFFEY, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: Well, and because there are different issues with cloning, that's why federal legislation hasn't gotten through yet. After 1997 when Dolly the sheep was announced to the world, there have been state legislatures and the Federal Drug Administration which has taken oppositions to cloning. But what Congress has to decide is whether all human cloning is to be banned or cloning research into so-called stem cell research issues, which could have positive medical benefits. That's the big controversy.

CALLAWAY: I can't imagine what kind of debate is going to be going on now because certainly this has brought it to the forefront. But just this weekend we heard scientists at work in the therapeutic end of cloning talking about how if this is killed as a whole it could -- it could end scientific research that could literally save lives.

COFFEY: Well, and that's the big question right now. A lot of scientists believe that therapeutic cloning research is essential to diseases ranging from Alzheimer's to Parkinson's. On the other hand, with this announcement there's going to be a scramble to do something. Ironically, as you mentioned before, what groups like Clonaid are doing is taking their research overseas. So if Congress does anything at all, they need to also address the fact that groups like this are raising money in this country...

CALLAWAY: How...

COFFEY: ... to go overseas.

CALLAWAY: Yes, I was going to say how long are the arms of U.S. law? You know would it have any effect on these groups that could go overseas?

COFFEY: If somebody raised their money, dealt with the patients, did all of the research overseas, probably not much that could be done here. What's going on with groups like this is that they raise money here, recruit patients here, maybe even acquire some of the actual life substances here, that is within the reach of Congress and that's something that needs to be addressed. CALLAWAY: Just professionally, in your legal opinion, you know how difficult would it be to come up with some type of legislation that would actually work?

COFFEY: They can do it, but right now the concern is they're going to scramble. This announcement has got everybody rushing. And when things get done quickly, whether scientifically or legally, sometimes you get a less than satisfactory product.

CALLAWAY: All right, Kendall, thank you for getting up and being -- it's nice to have you here.

COFFEY: Yes, it's great to be here -- Catherine.

CALLAWAY: All right. Kendall Coffey, thanks for being with us this morning.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com






Aired December 30, 2002 - 06:40   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: And we want to talk more about cloning with our favorite legal analyst Kendall Coffey with the latest developments on this. And now on this big rush, Kendall, to pass some type of legislation in the U.S., I don't know how much good that would do overseas, U.S. legislation. But you know, Kendall, it's so complicated, this cloning issue, from the type of cloning that the scientists have been discussing over the weekend being confused with the cloning that Clonaid is talking about.
KENDALL COFFEY, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: Well, and because there are different issues with cloning, that's why federal legislation hasn't gotten through yet. After 1997 when Dolly the sheep was announced to the world, there have been state legislatures and the Federal Drug Administration which has taken oppositions to cloning. But what Congress has to decide is whether all human cloning is to be banned or cloning research into so-called stem cell research issues, which could have positive medical benefits. That's the big controversy.

CALLAWAY: I can't imagine what kind of debate is going to be going on now because certainly this has brought it to the forefront. But just this weekend we heard scientists at work in the therapeutic end of cloning talking about how if this is killed as a whole it could -- it could end scientific research that could literally save lives.

COFFEY: Well, and that's the big question right now. A lot of scientists believe that therapeutic cloning research is essential to diseases ranging from Alzheimer's to Parkinson's. On the other hand, with this announcement there's going to be a scramble to do something. Ironically, as you mentioned before, what groups like Clonaid are doing is taking their research overseas. So if Congress does anything at all, they need to also address the fact that groups like this are raising money in this country...

CALLAWAY: How...

COFFEY: ... to go overseas.

CALLAWAY: Yes, I was going to say how long are the arms of U.S. law? You know would it have any effect on these groups that could go overseas?

COFFEY: If somebody raised their money, dealt with the patients, did all of the research overseas, probably not much that could be done here. What's going on with groups like this is that they raise money here, recruit patients here, maybe even acquire some of the actual life substances here, that is within the reach of Congress and that's something that needs to be addressed. CALLAWAY: Just professionally, in your legal opinion, you know how difficult would it be to come up with some type of legislation that would actually work?

COFFEY: They can do it, but right now the concern is they're going to scramble. This announcement has got everybody rushing. And when things get done quickly, whether scientifically or legally, sometimes you get a less than satisfactory product.

CALLAWAY: All right, Kendall, thank you for getting up and being -- it's nice to have you here.

COFFEY: Yes, it's great to be here -- Catherine.

CALLAWAY: All right. Kendall Coffey, thanks for being with us this morning.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com