Doctors For Life International applauds the U.N. General Assembly’s overwhelming support for a blanket ban on all forms of human cloning. This decision followed almost four years of rigorous debate within the 191 nation assembly during which the medical, scientific and ethical merits of cloning were extensively discussed. 

The debate over cloning ha s fallen into two categories namely the use of cloning techniques for human reproduction and secondly for the treatment of medical conditions.  Most countries appear to agree that cloning for reproductive purposes ought to be banned.  Disagreements tend to center around the cloning techniques being employed for the treatment of medical conditions.  While a variety of cloning techniques are now available for the purpose of medical research, the specific source of contention is the cloning of human embryos for research.    

Some scientists promote embryonic stem cell research as a potential source of cures for certain medical conditions.   Embryonic stem cell research necessitates the destruction of human embryos for the sole purpose of harvesting stem cells.   The specific cloning technique used for this purpose is commonly though incorrectly referred to as therapeutic cloning.  The argument over the use of this cloning technique has raged on despite the fact that an alternative method that does not require the use of embryos is available and has produced some remarkable successes so far.  Recent advances made in the use of adult stem cells, which is ethical, increasingly show cures for various diseases can be achieved with this technique.  Adult stem cells are easily obtainable from the umbilical cord, bone marrow and other organs with very little risk posed to the human donor.  

The UN assembly voted 84 to 34, with 37 abstentions to ban all forms of human cloning which would include the cloning of human embryos for stem cell research.   Countries that voted against the ban generally expressed that the option of using human cloning techniques for medical treatment should be left open.  Most countries that abstained did so either because they did not agree with the language of the document or like Mali were Islamic countries appearing to adopt a position in line with the Organization of the Islamic Conference.  South Africa , which also abstained, said it understood human cloning for medical research to be aimed at protecting human life and announced a plan to continue the practice with strict regulation.

The US , in supporting the ban stated that other cloning techniques that seek to achieve cures for human ailments without the use of humans or human embryos should be promoted.   The majority of those in favour of a ban on human cloning were developing countries but included the US, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Australia, Ireland and Italy.  Other European countries in addition to India , china, Brazil and Japan voted against the measure.  36 countries were not present at the vote.

In its declaration, the UN assembly stated that human cloning for medical treatment is incompatible with human dignity and the protection of human life.  The UN went on further to “ban all genetic engineering that may be contrary to human dignity” and urged countries to adequately protect human life in the application of the life sciences. 

DFL fully supports the UN assembly’s position on human cloning.  It is a clear confirmation that there is no justifiable medical or scientific basis that warrants the creation of human life for the purposes of destroying it.   We urge the government to continue to explore the various ethical cloning techniques available for medical research while abiding with the UN declaration to ban all forms of human cloning.

 ‘Doctors for Life International’ represents more than 1000 medical doctors and specialists, three-quarters of who practise in South Africa . DFL was founded as a South African organisation in 1991 and has spread across the globe. DFL is involved in several community projects including orphan care, the care of terminal AIDS patients, malaria treatment and the care of abused women.

For more information, go to: www.doctorsforlifeinternational.com