Chinese delegate Chen Xu on Tuesday said the Chinese government
supports the formulation of an early convention banning human
cloning. Chen said the Chinese government firmly opposes human
cloning and also rejects any experiment in human cloning, as it
would threaten human dignity.
Chinese delegate Chen Xu on Tuesday said the Chinese government
supports the formulation of an early convention banning human
cloning.
In
a speech at a general debate held by the United Nations Ad Hoc
Committee on an International Convention Against the
Reproductive Cloning of Human Beings, Chen said that there was an
imperative need to work out legal rules, and he expressed his
appreciation for the efforts made by France and Germany in that
regard.
Chen said the Chinese government firmly opposes human cloning and
also rejects any experiment in human cloning, as it would threaten
human dignity.
Meanwhile, he said, a distinction should be made between
therapeutic and reproductive cloning. Embryonic stem-cell research
for the purpose of treating and preventing disease should be
encouraged, but bioethics and universal norms should guide that
process so that it develops in an orderly fashion and is strictly
supervised, Chen added.
Legal and ethical concerns
Chen also said that the Chinese government and the scientific
community are following the progress of cloning technology and
staying informed of the ethical concerns.
He
said domestic legislation in various countries treats therapeutic
cloning differently, and whatever their choices in that regard,
domestic policies should be respected, as should the various
philosophical, cultural and religious circumstances that have led
to the legislation.
He
also said that while preparing the convention, the Ad Hoc Committee
should listen carefully to the overall appraisals of scientists and
bioethicists on the positive impact of cloning technology on
mankind, in order to make an informed decision.
The U.N. Ad Hoc Committee, established by the General Assembly last
December, met this morning to hold a general debate on the ethics
and science of human cloning. The first-ever session of the Ad Hoc
Committee, which started Monday and is due to conclude on Friday,
has as its purpose the elaboration of a negotiating strategy for a
possible convention.
During the general debate today, a total of 21 speakers expressed
serious concern over the rapid pace of developments in the field of
cloning, with many calling for a human rights-based approach to
negotiating a convention. The line appeared to demarcate those
seeking a total ban from those favoring a partial one to allow for
medical advances in the prevention and treatment of disease.
( February 27, 2002)