French Parliament Bans Human Cloning

With a new law France joins a number of other nations that have tried to ban human cloning as a "crime against the human species," though research on human embryos will continue. It remains to be seen, however, whether this law will have the effect that is hoped.

IOL reports:

One point of agreement is that cloning aimed at reproducing human beings should be banned. To that end a new offence of "crime against the human species" is created. "Therapeutic" cloning - creating stem cells to replace damaged organs and tissue to help with diseases such as Alzheimer - is also banned, although the health minister said he would maintain an open mind. ... A ban on the use of "spare" embryos created for the purpose of in-vitro fertilisation will be postponed for five years to allow for evaluation of the ethical and medical ramifications.

Few people have any interest in reproductive cloning, but the ban on “therapeutic” cloning threatens to have a real impact on medial research in France.

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