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Pope Condemns Cloning As Threat Against Life (Biogenesis),

Pope Condemns Cloning As Threat Against Life

VATICAN CITY, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Pope John Paul condemned human cloning on Wednesday, rejecting experiments he said constitute threats to life.

The Pope spoke three days after U.S. researchers said they had cloned a human embryo for the first time.

"True humanism can never permit methods and experiments that constitute threats against life that are programmed in a scientific and systematic manner," he said.

Speaking at his weekly general audience to a group of doctors, the 81-year-old Pope urged them to "uncompromisingly defend life and the dignity of the human person and work within respect of moral law."

The Pope, who has condemned stem cell research using embryos before, spoke after many religious leaders and politicians, including U.S. President George W. Bush, had condemned the cloning.

U.S. biotechnology firm Advanced Cell Technology Inc. (ACT) said on Sunday they would use the technology not to clone babies but to treat a range of diseases such as diabetes and Parkinson's.

The Vatican blasted the latest cloning experiment on Monday, saying scientists had tampered with human life. In Italy, lawmakers called for a total ban on the practice.

05:59 11-28-01

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Wed Nov 28