On <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />June 2, 2004, The Genetics Policy Institute initiated and hosted a breakthrough conference at the United Nations for decision-makers on human cloning and stem cell research. Scientists, bioethicists, patient advocates and their supporters in the biomedical research community were invited to openly discuss and educate UN delegates on the consequences of an international ban on therapeutic cloning – insisting on the ethical distinction between reproductive and therapeutic cloning.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Twelve distinguished scientists from the fields of experimental biology, nuclear transfer, in vitrofertilization and regenerative medicine insisted on the crucial need to protect medical research for cures. Several positions were possible in these important and complex issues. However, the scientists invited by GPI agreed that the ban of federal funding of research on new stem-cell lines imposed by the Bush administration under the influence of the anti-abortion movement should be overturned – although, of course, when such research is carried out it should be subject to rigorous ethical oversight.

Before the November 2004 US elections the General Assembly of the United Nations considered a draft resolution on human cloning that would set in motion the drafting of an international convention banning reproductive human cloning. The United States supported the ban on embryonic stem cell research; however, it agreed to withdraw its demand for a vote on Costa Rica’s resolution that would have opened formal negotiations on the ban.

Scientists from the UK urged the United Nations to ignore the call by George Bush to ban all forms of human cloning, and the UK Government backed a Belgian proposal to ban human reproductive cloning worldwide. However, the proposal allows individual states to make their own decision on therapeutic cloning. If this proposal was successful, the United States and others would still be free to ban all human cloning but countries that see the positive outcome of therapeutic cloning will be able to carry out research.

The Secretary-General of the United Nations Kofi Annan told the United Nations legal committee in November that he is opposed to the U.S. proposal to ban cloning human embryos for research. The UN already opposes reproductive human cloning, but, says Annan, “Obviously it is an issue for the member-states to decide, but as an individual and in my personal view, I think I would go for therapeutic cloning.”

The UN Assembly made a commitment on November 20 2004, to resume discussions in February 2005 on a non-binding declaration appealing to countries to prohibit any attempts to create human life through cloning processes and any research intended to achieve that aim. Finally in March 2005, after two years of discussions, the 191-nation UN General Assembly voted in favour of the declaration (moved by  Honduras) by 84 votes to 34, with 37 abstentions.

Based on an interview by Ana Lita with Bernard Siegel, founder of the Genetics Policy Institute (GPI) who shot into fame after his exposure as fake the Human cloning claims made by the Raelian cult. GPI encourages funding and support for stem cell research and sponsors international projects and educational programs relating to the law and regulation of reproductive cloning, therapeutic cloning (SCNT) and stem cell research.