Israel Bans Genetic Cloning
APO 30.12.98 15:20
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By SARI BASHI
Associated Press Writer
JERUSALEM (AP) -- Israel's parliament has passed legislation that
bans cloning humans for the next five years and monitors genetic
research, the sponsor of the bill said today.
The law, passed Tuesday, allows genetic intervention for medical
purposes, such as cloning a healthy organ for donation.
Researchers wishing to conduct experiments in human genetics must
show an advisory committee that their research does not violate
the ban, an infraction punishable by two years in prison.
"Human cloning endangers humanity as seriously as nuclear
weapons," said Labor Party legislator Hagai Merom.
"That also began as an experiment but later became a weapon
of mass destruction."
The committee will report yearly to the science minister to
reassess whether the outlawed research harms human dignity.
Merom said doctors, researchers, legislators, philosophers and
religious leaders discussed the issue for 18 months before
agreeing to the five-year moratorium. In 2003, parliament will
decide whether to renew the ban.
Unlike Christian leaders who have called for a ban on human
cloning, Israel's Chief Rabbinate has said Jewish law does not
necessarily rule it out.