UN committee agrees non-binding declaration banning human cloning 24/2/05. By the Public Health Genetics Unit After fierce debate but no consensus, the United Nations Sixth Committee (Legal) has recommended a non-binding ban on human cloning.

The United Nations Declaration on Human Cloning calls for the ban, as it is incompatible with human dignity and the protection of human life. The vote was 71 for the measure, 35 against, with 43 abstentions.

This declaration was agreed only after a decision on a binding treaty on this issue could not be reached. Originally, Costa Rica, with allies such as the USA, had fought for a treaty banning all types of human cloning. Belgium and the United Kingdom, as well as other countries, disagreed, stating that there should be a ban on reproductive cloning but that countries should be left to legislate on therapeutic cloning at a national level. When a decision could not be reached, Italy proposed a weaker non-binding declaration.

Representatives debated the wording in declaration over several days but no consensus could be reached. The UK voted against the resolution and, together with other dissenters, has stated that they will not abide by it as the wording could be interpreted to include therapeutic cloning, which is legal in this country.

Article courtesy of the Public Health Genetics Unit .