First human cloned embryo brings concerned response
The first ever cloning of a human embryo, carried out by US company Advanced Cell Technology, has prompted a worried reaction from political and religious groups. Although the company emphasised that the aim was purely therapeutic and not for the cloning of human beings, several sources have questioned the benefits of the move. The event clearly highlights the need for a debate on cloning, according to European Research Commissioner, Philippe Busquin. 'Not everything that is scientifically possible and technologically feasible is necessarily desirable or admissible,' he said. 'The developments in the USA demonstrate the urgency and importance of a European debate and position on research involving embryonic stem cells.' He referred to the forthcoming event organised by the European Commission entitled 'Stem cells: therapies for the future on 18 and 19 December, as helping promote the type of debate which is designed to tackle some of the issues thrown up by cloning. Condemnation of the cloning also came from the US President, George W. Bush. His spokesperson said that his anti-cloning bill, which was passed by the White House earlier this year but has been held up in the Senate, would have banned this type of activity. The bill drew a 'strong ethical line in the sand' according the spokesman - who said that this new development has crossed it. He added that he hoped that this development would spur the Senate into finally giving the USA an anti-cloning law. The Vatican added its voice to the condemnation. Vatican official Monsignor Tarcisio Bertone said that if therapeutic goals involve 'production and destruction of human beings to treat other human beings, the end does not justify the means.' In the UK, the announcement of the cloning breakthrough came as the country's government rushed through new legislation which will specifically ban human cloning. The government had been forced in to this following a High Court ruling that the existing legislation in the UK did not cover cloning a human being. However this legislation would not ban the technique used by the US company, which has already been used in the UK to produce Dolly the sheep, the first cloned sheep. Advanced Cell Technology insists that the main aim of the research is to assist in treatment of diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. Dr Robert Lanza, who led the research team, claimed that it would provide a leap forward in therapies. 'This sets the stage for human therapeutic cloning as a potentially limitless source of immune-compatible cells for tissue engineering and transplantation medicine,' he said.