12/30/98
Israel Bans Genetic Cloning
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.
--
Judith Richards, London, Ontario, Canada
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