Italian Doctor Vows Research in Human Cloning
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR (voice-over): He may not be a household name here in the U.S. but the Italian doctor working with Panos is very well known at home. As CNN's Chris Burns reports this doctor knows plenty of controversy in his own country.</s>CHRIS BURNS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Like other industrialized countries, Italy is struggling to raise its sagging birthrate. At his clinic here in Rome, Dr. Severino Antinori says he has one solution. He vows to become the first to help sterile men have children by cloning them. He calls it "therapeutic cloning." "We can make humanity happier by producing a child in that way," he says, "a way to continue the species." But in this deeply Catholic nation, Antinori faces searing criticism. Some call the flamboyant doctor a publicity hound seeking fame and fortune by becoming the first to photocopy babies. The Vatican has another word for cloning. They call it "eugenics" -- creating the perfect human being, as the Nazis tried. "The Nazi attempt was eugenics," he said, "but they didn't have the scientific resources. Today, they can do worse than Hitler did." The Italian order of doctors is even threatening to bar him from practice, but the order says it can't until Antinori actually starts his project. That's not expected until November. Italian law remains unclear though authorities are warning Antinori. "Reproductive cloning is forbidden," he said. "Therapeutic reproduction is deferred, since the results from animal testing have yet to prove we can proceed." Antinori first made an international name for himself in 1994, when he claimed a 62 year-old woman patient of his had a child -- no law against that either, though it sparked outrage here. Outrage is mixed with apprehension this time, over how cloning could change society and whether it's medically safe. "Science must advance," she said. "but I'm afraid."</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): It's against nature. You don't know what the results would be.</s>BURNS (on camera): Doctors, governments and the church may try to stop him but Antinori vows to forge ahead. He says he will carry out his plan in a remote country or in international waters if necessary. Chris Burns, CNN, Rome.</s>HEMMER: And there are those who believe human cloning could help them. Let's meet two of them tonight. Live with us from Washington are Damaris Bonilla and Scott Camper. They're engaged and medical reasons prevent Damaris from carrying a child. Good evening to both of you, appreciate you taking time with us tonight. Damaris, let's begin with you. How much do you think you understand about the cloning process?</s>DAMARIS BONILLA, INTERESTED IN CLONING: I think what I understand about the cloning process is that I believe you know that this can be an option for people that want to have a hope that want to have a baby.</s>HEMMER: Mm-hmm, and you want to have a baby with your husband soon to be. How do you respond to those who believe it's morally wrong and it's based on the wrong principle? How do you respond to that argument?</s>BONILLA: Well, if it is done with the wrong intention yes, I don't think you know, it should be done for that purpose. You know, but if this can bring some happiness to some couples that today do not believe -- that they cannot have a baby, I think that this can be an option.</s>HEMMER: Scott, you agree. I'm assuming.</s>SCOTT CAMPER, INTERESTED IN CLONING: Yes, I agree. I think everybody should have the right to have a child that it their child, you know, that is genetically related to both the parents.</s>HEMMER: What about the problems out there, people worrying about deformities in a child, possibly danger, damage physically to a woman physically carrying that child? How to you respond to those claims?</s>CAMPER: Well, I think there's dangers in any pregnancy. I just think there's difference types of dangers, and they've had success in primates, like with monkeys so there's only a couple chromosomes difference, so there should be some optimism for success with humans.</s>HEMMER: Damaris, also people watching this program tonight may wonder why not just go in-vitro fertilization? It's been done for years and might be a safer option? Why not pursue that line?</s>BONILLA: Well, I guess because for us, at this time I don't think that will be an option. I think we have kind of tried that option and it didn't work out for us, so that's why we are not saying that the cloning might work but we are hoping that it can work for us.</s>HEMMER: And what about the dangers physically? How do you feel about that?</s>BONILLA: I have to say I'm very nervous.</s>HEMMER: And have you contacted scientists to pursue cloning?</s>BONILLA: We have e-mailed them with a lot of questions. I mean we don't have all the answers but we certainly are looking for, you know, more answers to the matter, and so we are just hoping that they will contact us and that we can discuss it a little further.</s>HEMMER: So, you would like to go through with it if given the option, correct?</s>BONILLA: Yes.</s>HEMMER: Scott, you the same?</s>CAMPER: Yes, I would. Like I said, our reason for it is not any mad science or anything. Ours is just, we want to have a child that's, you know, genetically related to both of us just like any couple.</s>HEMMER: And how do you feel about having a child that looks just like you at one point?</s>CAMPER: Well, I mean they can do cloning where they can combine, you know, both sets of DNA, so...</s>HEMMER: One from each parent?</s>CAMPER: Yes.</s>HEMMER: It was my understanding scientists today, scientists say they can't do that. They can only pick from the male or the female.</s>CAMPER: Well, they can put different genes inside different cells.</s>HEMMER: And the science is not proven just yet, but I'm wondering, when you talk to relatives, how do they respond to this idea?</s>BONILLA: They are going to think we are crazy but this is only related to Scott and I. And we are the ones who want to go through this.</s>HEMMER: Well come on back and talk to us as you go down the road, Ok?</s>BONILLA: Absolutely.</s>HEMMER: When's the wedding, by the way?</s>BONILLA: Pretty soon.</s>HEMMER: Maybe you can get back to us on that one too. Damaris Bonilla, Scott Camper, live from Washington. Thanks for sharing with us this evening and best of luck. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com