Duma to ban human cloning indefinitely

MOSCOW, January 22 (Itar-Tass) -- Russia's State Duma will consider a
law bill on Friday that extends the ban on human closing for an indefinite
period, but allows cloning of other cells for research.
In 2002 human cloning was banned for five years, while now the law
bill introduces a temporary ban until a special law allowing human cloning
is adopted.
The Russian Academy of Medical Sciences supports the bill.
"Prolongation of the ban on human cloning is objectively necessary and the
measure has matured," Academician Sergei Kolesnikov who is deputy chairman
of State Duma health committee, told Tass.
He recalled human cloning caused heated debate in Russia and said the
corresponding technology has not been designed and there are numerous
ethical, legal and religious problems.
"Our country is strictly following the spirit and letter of the UN
Declaration of March 8, 2005 which calls to ban all forms of human cloning
that are incompatible with human dignity and protection of human life, and
to urgently adopt national laws," Kolesnikov said.
-0-nec