After the recent announcements of the Raelian sect that it had successfully completed experiments in human cloning, the European Union has also joined its voice with all those protesting against the possibility of science dedicating, or perverting, itself to such practices. The Commission recalled that “human cloning for reproductive purposes is prohibited by article 3 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU”. To the joint criticisms made by the governments of all the member states was also added the uncompromising stance adopted by the European Commissioner for Research, the Belgian socialist Philippe Busquin, who speaking on behalf of the EU Executive affirmed that “human cloning must be condemned not only for ethical reasons and principles of common values, but also because it is a scientifically irresponsible practice”. Busquin declared in the course of a press conference that the Commission does not fund research aimed at the cloning of human embryos, and reaffirmed the support of Brussels for the European initiative whose main promoters are France and Germany aimed at achieving a world convention for the banning of reproductive cloning.
