The Wire

The United Nations General Assembly have once again deferred a decision on a convention that would ban therapeutic cloning for the third time in two years. The supporters and opponents of non-reproductive cloning failed to give an inch. While there is a general consensus for banning reproductive cloning, the debate over scientific stem-cell research, otherwise known as therapeutic cloning, is a lot more divisive, with ethical and religious concerns going up against great scientific potential. The 63 countries supporting the ban are spearheaded by Catholic South American nations and conservative Western governments, such as the Bush Administration, whilst the proponents of stem cell research are led by progressive scientific nations, such as Belgium and South Korea. Much of the uncertainty over the issue stems from the stance of the 67-nation strong Muslim bloc, which has continually requested more time to consider their position. Professor Alan Trounson, a Professor for Stem Cell Sciences at the Monash Immunology and Stem Cell Laboratories, spoke to Bill Birtles about the scientific potential and the ethical concerns that have underpinned the international debate.