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PR: Ireland Does Not Back Total Ban on Cloning
28.10.2003
Sources at the United Nations indicate that both lobbyists and delegates attending a crucial United Nations Committee meeting on human cloning suspect that a vote will be held on the issue at a meeting on November 6. The committee again failed to reach consensus after meeting on 20th and 21st October. The last count of support for the total cloning ban saw more than 53 countries supporting it, while some 18 supported only the partial ban. The Costa Rican draft resolution seeking a complete ban on both reproductive and so-called therapeutic human cloning is still gaining support. This total ban is strongly supported by countries like the USA, Spain, Italy, the Vatican and the Philippines to name but a few.
But Ireland is keeping silent. It was reported in the Irish Catholic newspaper that the Irish Government failed to back the Costa Rican Proposal. A spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs told the Irish Catholic that Ireland's representatives have not made a statement or taken any position on the issue of cloning so far this year. "We have not made any statements. We will wait for other proposals that may come out and see further options before we declare our position." The Irish Government often argue that it is inappropriate to express a separate viewpoint when there is an agreed EU policy position on any issue. In this case however there is no EU position and the EU is clearly divided as Italy, Spain and Portugal have already co-sponsored the Costa Rican draft resolution while Germany and France originally supported a ban on reproductive cloning only. The UK has already permitted therapeutic cloning.
It is therefore essentail to keep lobbying your government ministers with regard to this ban. Tell them that your vote in next year's election depends on their backing of the Costa Rican ban. Encourage others to do so as well.
The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern may be reached at
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