China opposes any experiments for the purpose of human cloning, but
will allow "closely-monitored" embryo stem cell research for
treatment and prevention of disease, the Ministry of Health
announced Thursday.
This is the official announcement by the Chinese government on its
stance on human cloning after a US biotechnology company claimed
November 25 that it had created human embryos through cloning.
Meanwhile, some Chinese scientists have urged the country's
lawmakers to quicken legislation on banning human cloning.
"China does not approve of, support, allow or accept any
experiments in human cloning, and this stand is definite and
clear," said the announcement of the ministry.
The research of embryo stem cells used to treat and prevent
diseases will be allowed, "but has to be rational and done under
effective monitoring," it said.
The ministry also urged that legislation concerning human cloning
must be speeded up so that "the cloning technology can be developed
healthily and used safely."
Chinese scientists also echoed their concerns over legal and
ethical issues associated with the cloning technology.
"We need to develop cloning technology, but we have to be very
careful and make sure that scientific exploration is carried out
under strict experimental conditions and laws," said Kang Le,
director of the Bureau of Life Science and Biotechnology, which is
under the Chinese
Academy of Sciences, China's top science think tank.
Li
Lingsong, a professor of Beijing University,
said the research of stem cells, including stem cells from embryos,
should be supported.
"But the precondition is the researchers must follow certain
internationally agreed-upon guidelines of ethics, and the research
must benefit our society," he said.
Li
called the move to clone human beings "irresponsible behavior"
because it may bring about many unexpected problems.
"Human cloning must be banned, and Chinese scientists have reached
consensus on it," he said.
( November 30, 2001)