No Two Countries Have Identical Regulatory Measures on Cloning – Human Cloning Foundation

The Human Cloning Foundation (HCF) said that a recent study of 30
countries (Shaun D. Pattinson, Timothy Calufield, BMC Med Ethics, Volume 5) showed that "no two countries have adopted identical
regulatory measures on cloning."

Of these 30 countries, 23 have enacted national legislation on the
creation and use of cloned embryos, but the study also noted that "the
absence of legislation in the seven countries does not equate into an
absence of regulation."

The study shows that the vast majority of countries ban reproductive
cloning, while many others ban both reproductive and non-reproductive
cloning, including Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany,
Iceland, Italy, Mexico, Peru, Spain and Switzerland.

"While non-reproductive cloning is not permitted in 17 countries, it
could be permitted in up to thirteen countries," the study said,
citing Belgium, China, Finland, Greece, Israel, Korea, New Zealand,
the United Kingdom and others.

Only Belgium and the United Kingdom have deliberately enacted or
extended legislation for the purpose of permitting the creation of
cloned embryos for research, the study said.

Most countries now note the vast potential of cloning and stem cell
research in curing disease and improving quality of life, but there is
little consensus on the correct approach to cloning laws and policy,
said David Madrigal, HCF spokesman.

The Human Cloning Foundation supports both therapeutic and reproductive cloning.

Reference: “Variations and voids: the regulation of human cloning
around the world”
` Shaun D. Pattinson, Timothy Calufield
BMC Med Ethics, Volume 5

Contact: Mr. David Madrigal
Spokesman, Human Cloning Foundation