Members of HUGO, the Human Genome Organisation, have spoken out against human reproductive cloning at an international scientific meeting in China. They say that the practice would have unknown long-term effects and raises 'deep concerns over moral issues'. The chair of HUGO's international ethics committee, Bartha-Maria Knoppers, said 'I don't think we should play with human beings, even the idea of human cloning'.
Most of the scientists who make up HUGO, despite condemning reproductive cloning, are in favour of cloning human embryos for use in medical research.
Also at the HUGO conference, an announcement that the entire sequence of the human genome will be completed in 2003 was made. Lap-Chee Tsui, president of HUGO said that 'everyone is trying very hard to meet that deadline'.
Sources and References
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Complete genome map 'in 2003'
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Scientists expect to complete human genome in 2003
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Human Genome Organisation condemns human cloning
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