BOB ABERNETHY: The creation of human embryos for medical purposes, known as "therapeutic cloning," is being debated around the world. Britain recently made final a national policy allowing cloning research, and Chinese scientists claimed they had already cloned dozens of human embryos for that purpose. In Washington this week, each side in the cloning debate dramatized its position. Deryl Davis has our report.

DERYL DAVIS: Actor Christopher Reeve and Nobel Prize-winning scientist Paul Berg were among supporters of therapeutic cloning who spoke at a Senate hearing on Tuesday. They warned that a proposed ban on cloned embryo research could seriously delay the development of cures for a variety of medical problems.

PAUL BERG: All of us have a responsibility to those suffering from life-threatening diseases and severe handicaps to explore every opportunity and every means to alleviate their suffering.

ABERNETHY: At a press conference earlier in the day, Reeve responded to criticism that the research would mean creating human embryos only to destroy them later.

CHRISTOPHER REEVE: It's not destroying life, but using cells that can relieve the suffering of millions.