BIO's Statement on Cloned Lamb

(WASHINGTON, DC)...Carl B. Feldbaum, president of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) issued the following statement in response to the announcement from PPL Therapeutics, Inc. in Scotland, that a cloned lamb named Polly had been produced using a technique similar to that which produced Dolly, the cloned sheep. The lamb was genetically engineered to produce human proteins that can be used in medicines.

"Polly's birth, while perhaps not as dramatic as her predecessor Dolly, is evidence of the progression of this research toward practical results that will greatly benefit humankind. The ability of these transgenic animals to produce therapeutic biopharmaceuticals should give pause to those who, whether at the state or federal level, would seek to ban or restrict such research."

The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) represents 720 biotechnology companies, academic institutions and state biotechnology centers. BIO members are involved in the research and development of health care, agricultural and environmental biotechnology products.