On 19 December 2000, the UK Parliament approved laws that will allow scientists to create embryos cloned from human cells, and keep them alive for 14 days to extract stem cells for therapeutic purposes. The proposal, backed by a majority of more than two to one, is very controversial.

“HUMAN CLONES NEXT?”

The New York Times, US

This is the crux of the issue, whether cell-based treatments will offer cures for scores of diseases, ranging from Parkinson, diabetes and stroke, or whether it is simply a slippery slope towards human cloning.

“Ian Wilmut, the 'father' of the first cloned sheep, Dolly, is convinced [that tissues derived from stem cells could be used as 'spare parts' to save thousands of human lives], and was among the first scientists to congratulate the Blair government.”

Il Giorno, Italy

Not everyone was pleased: “Pope John Paul II has judged this law to be 'morally unacceptable'.”

La Repubblica, Italy

“The [German] minister for research, Edelgard Bulmahn, said Germany would not breach this 'ethical boundary'. Instead, the country should focus on exploring alternatives to the cloning of human embryos.”

Frankfurter Allgemeine, Germany

“The move would legally endorse human cloning 'for the first time in the world'.”

The Guardian, UK

However, “Mike Dexter, director of the Wellcome Trust research charity, said: 'This is a vote for science, for health, and for the future.' ”

The Guardian, UK