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International Ban on Human Cloning, (Biogenesis)

International Ban on Human Cloning

WASHINGTON, Feb. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- After three years of negotiation, the United Nations voted for a total ban on human cloning by 71-35 with 43 abstaining. The United States joined with Costa Rica, Uganda and with over 60 nations to ban human cloning. The United Kingdom, Belgium and Singapore have been leading the fight against this moral initiative.

The United Nations has called on Member States to adopt urgent legislation outlawing all cloning practices "as they are incompatible with human dignity and the protection of human life." Concern has been held by many countries that their female citizens would be exploited by becoming egg farms for the cloning industry.

Dr. David Prentice, Senior Fellow for Life Sciences, Center for Human Life and Bioethics at the Family Research Council who worked with the Costa Rican delegation in passing the ban commented on today's victory:

"This is a stunning defeat for countries that advocate cloning to produce experimental human beings.

"This is a significant step forward in respecting all human life. This has the effect of setting an international standard and sends a clear signal that the global community will not condone the cloning of human beings for any purpose."

FRC President Tony Perkins stated, "Surprisingly the UN is showing the leadership that we hoped the U.S. Senate would provide. The Senate needs to take a firm moral stand and pass a total ban on human cloning as was stated by President Bush."

SOURCE Family Research Council

02/18/2005 19:27 ET

Wed Apr 13