200 couples chosen to take part in human cloning project
Italian embryologist Dr Severino Antinori has selected 200 couples from several countries to take part in a human cloning project, despite concern from doctors, scientists and pro-life groups. Dr Antinori's intended method, similar to that used in the cloning of Dolly the sheep, will involve injecting genetic material from an infertile father into the mother's egg, which is the implanted in the woman's uterus. The doctor has decided to press ahead with the process after having successfully cloned ten mice. Scientists who took part in the cloning of Dolly the sheep insist however that the high level of failure and foetal abnormality in the work that they did shows that using the same technique with humans would be irresponsible. It is still unclear where Dr Antinori will carry out his project, as human cloning is illegal in most countries, including his home country of Italy.
Countries
Italy