Media release 7 November 2003

UN delays ban on human cloning

The United Nations has voted 80-79 to delay for two years any decision on a ban on research into human cloning. Negotiations on human cloning began over a year ago at the UN, but were postponed in the face of a fundamental division between two groups of nations. One group, headed by the US and Costa Rica, wants to ban all kinds of human cloning. The other, led by France and Germany, and supported by 66 science academies around the world (including New Zealand's Royal Society), wants to ban reproductive cloning but allow therapeutic cloning - research which could lead to a new generation of medical treatments.

However, the vote for a delay meant that neither of the rival proposals for a ban could be put to the vote. The outcome leaves the door open to maverick attempts to create a human clone.

The Royal Society of New Zealand condemns human reproductive cloning. "New Zealand needs to move quickly to enact legislation to prevent such potentially unsafe and socially unacceptable practices," said Dr James Watson, president of the Royal Society of New Zealand.

But the Royal Society of New Zealand voices strong support for research and therapeutic cloning. President of the Royal Society of London, Lord May, said: "Research into therapeutic cloning has the potential to help millions of people worldwide because it could help us to develop stem cell treatments and cures".