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Cloning research is just the latest in dubious medical 'advances'

Date published: 6/2/2002

ASCIENTIFIC breakthrough in 1898 promised a bright new tomorrow for the human race--and megaprofits
for its manufacturer. A new drug would alleviate agony without the problems created by then-popular morphine. Death from the devastating diseases of the day (tuberculosis and pneumonia) would be thwarted. And researchers on whom the drug was tested loved it. They claimed it made them feel "heroic."

This wonderful advance in medicine was the brainchild of Heinrich Dreser, a chemist working for the Bayer company. Faced with the opportunity to introduce to the world two different drugs, Dreser declared the first "of no value" but the second he enthusiastically endorsed.

The name of the first drug? Aspirin. The second? Heroin.

By 1899, Bayer was producing a ton of heroin a year, and shipping it to 23 countries. Free samples were widely distributed in the United States, where it was eagerly embraced.

But the enticingly beautiful creation turned out to be a deadly deception. Soon, addictions began to be reported. Patients developed tolerances too easily and a devastating dependency on the drug followed.

In 1913 Bayer decided to stop making heroin. By 1924 it was banned in the United States. The former wonder drug, the scientific breakthrough of the century, continues today to turn peoples' lives to junk. Literally.

Fortunately for Bayer, Dreser reversed himself on aspirin in 1899, and the company was able to ride profits from that drug into the 21st century. But the lesson learned is still applicable: Beware the promises of science.

Today we are perched on the edge of another "scientific breakthrough," a miracle that will cure diseases and make the lame walk; one that has an almost infinite potential for making this life all that we know it should be. The name of this highly-touted wonder? Therapeutic cloning.

The U.S. Senate is due to address the issue of cloning in June (Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle reneged on a promise to allow floor debate by Memorial Day). The question on the floor is, should the United States ban all human cloning? The House of Representatives has overwhelmingly said "yes." The Senate is divided.

Is cloning a miracle or is it a lovely but deadly deception?

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Date published: 6/2/2002