Resolution on human cloning

The European Parliament in its resolution on human cloning considered that there is no difference between cloning for therapeutic purposes and cloning for the purposes of reproduction, and that any relaxation of the present ban will lead to pressure for further developments in embryo production and usage. Such therapeutic cloning irreversibly crosses a boundary in research norms and is contrary to public policy as adopted by the European Union. The UK Parliament, which is to have a free vote on this issue, is called upon to reject the proposal to permit research using embryos created by cell nuclear transfer when it is laid before them. The European Parliament urged maximum efforts to be aimed at therapies using stem cells taken from adult subjects. National and Community authorities should ensure that the ban on patenting or cloning human beings is reaffirmed and rules adopted to this end. No research institution that is involved in the cloning of human embryos should receive money from the EU budget. Any temporary committee set up by Parliament to examine ethical and legal issues raised by new developments in human genetics should take as a starting point the views expressed in this resolution.�