The bill would have made it a crime to implant a cloned embryo into the uterus of a woman, a prospect that currently has no legal impediment. It would have left unimpinged a cloning process known as somatic cell nuclear transfer, as long as it is used solely for research purposes.

Congress has voted on cloning bans several times over the years, but lawmakers have never reached consensus on banning so-called reproductive cloning while allowing embryos to be cloned and then used as a source of stem cells for research before they take human form.

Pro-life groups attacked the legislation, saying it would essentially give sanction to scientists to exploit women for their eggs for the sake of scientific research. Conservative House members echoed those sentiments in debate Wednesday.

Rep. Dave Weldon, R-Fla, a physician, said a ban on reproductive cloning was a half-measure and that all forms of human cloning should be banned.

"You're asking me if half a loaf is better than no loaf at all and in this case I am saying that half a loaf is worse," he said in an interview.

The 204-213 vote was a wide margin of failure because the bill would have required a two-thirds majority. The bill came one day before the House is set to vote on a bill repealing limits on federally funded embryonic stem cell research enacted by President Bush in August 2001.

Republican opponents are threatening to try to attach an anti-cloning amendment to the stem cell bill. If such an amendment were to pass it could kill the bill.

Opponents accused Democrats who supported the cloning bill of using Wednesday's vote to offer political cover so that fewer members would feel compelled to support the possible amendment Thursday.

"This is a way for the majority to give some members of their party a way to vote for the cloning bill so they can vote against the motion to recommit tomorrow," said Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, the ranking member on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., the bill's chief sponsor and a major backer of embryonic stem cell research, said the bill would do nothing to encourage the unethical use of human embryos because all forms of cloning are currently legal.

"Right now in this country, it is not illegal to clone a human being for reproductive purposes," she said.

The embryonic stem cell research bill easily passed the Senate in April and is expected to clear the House on Thursday. President Bush is expected to veto the measure, setting up a possible attempt to override the veto in the Senate.

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