Statement by
H.E.
Archbishop Celestino Migliore,
Apostolic Nuncio, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the U.N.
on
Agenda Item 158:
International Convention against the Reproductive Cloning of Human Beings
Mr.
Chairman,
On behalf of my
Delegation, allow me to congratulate you and other members of the Bureau on your
election. We stand ready to cooperate with you and all other delegations in
deliberating and deciding upon this important issue regarding human cloning.
The item on human cloning
has been on our agenda for over two years now. Its multifaceted impact on the
very life of all humanity as well as on convictions rooted in different cultures
requires a common set of clear benchmarks that expeditiously address all of the
issues concerning human cloning. In order to contribute to the debate in a
constructive manner, my delegation has presented its views in a position paper,
that offers some parameters within which the debate could possibly unfold. The
position paper has been circulated by this Working Group under document symbol,
A/C.6/WG/CRP.1, which is now before you.
While virtually all
delegations stand in opposition to reproductive cloning, there is a diversity of
views on the so-called “therapeutic” cloning; however, we must understand as
clearly as we can that the distinction between the two is superficial.
Mr.
Chairman,
We do need to support the
advancement of human biological sciences to the benefit of all members of the
human family. To this end, the Holy See supports the procurement of human
“adult” stem cells as well as the use, for research or experimental purposes, of
the “adult” stem cells, and of material derived from them, when it is pursued in
a way that does not offend human dignity and, if applied clinically, respects
the principle of informed consent. Procuring, investigating, and developing
potential therapies with “adult” stem cells, as far as is known, is a scientific
course that holds great promise.
On the other end of the
spectrum, the cloning of human embryos to produce stem cells for potential
therapeutic use has not only failed to demonstrate any verifiable scientific
promise, it also raises serious ethical questions. The experimental or
research cloning of embryonic stem cells requires the production of millions of
human embryos with the intention of destroying them as part of the process of
using them for scientific research. The early human embryo, not yet implanted
into a womb, is nonetheless a human individual, with a human life, and evolving
as an autonomous organism toward its full development. Destroying this embryo
results in a deliberate suppression of an innocent human life.
Mr.
Chairman,
My delegation is of the
view that any possible attempt to limit a ban on human cloning to that
undertaken for reproductive purposes would be nearly impossible to enforce
simply because human embryos cloned for research purposes would be widely
available and would have the potential to be brought to birth. Since human
reproductive cloning is universally condemned, only a complete ban on all forms
of human embryonic cloning would achieve the goal of prohibiting human
reproductive cloning.
There are other grave
ethical problems which are of concern to my delegation. In the first place, if
“research” cloning with embryos were permitted, it would require, to be
effective, a large number of human eggs or oocytes. The process of obtaining
these eggs, which is not without risk, would use women’s bodies as mere
reservoirs of oocytes, instrumentalizing women and undermining their dignity. In
the second place, the massive demand for human oocytes would disproportionately
affect the poor and marginalized women of the world bringing a new type of
injustice, victimization and discrimination into existence.
Furthermore, a partial ban
on “reproductive” cloning would only encourage the development of commerce in
cloned human embryos and their derivatives for scientific research or for
industrial research and related development purposes.
Mr.
Chairman,
These points lead to one
logical conclusion: only a comprehensive convention on human cloning, that would
address all these issues and not just reproductive cloning, will be able to
respond to the challenges of the twenty-first century on this issue. Situations
that pose grave dangers to human dignity can only be effectively addressed by
international agreements that are comprehensive, not partial. While a partial
agreement might address immediately some issues related to human cloning, it
could generate more problems. The most durable solution should therefore be an
all-inclusive legal instrument. In fact, comprehensive conventions are not at
all new to this Organization and lately they would even seem to be the preferred
legal instrument. Moreover, an all-inclusive convention could provide a legal
instrument that would sufficiently enable States to formulate appropriate
domestic legislation on human cloning. For all these reasons, my delegation
wishes to reiterate its fundamental position that only a comprehensive
convention will be able to address all issues related to human cloning.
Mr.
Chairman,
As we debate this
important issue, let us remain positive in our outlook and constructive in our
objective. In this spirit, my delegation shares the view of many others that the
procurement and use of human “adult” stem cells, is a moral and sound way to
help all, not just some, human beings. With the passage of each day, their great
scientific promise increases. Do we really want to render an effective and
timely service to many of our fellow human beings suffering from incurable
diseases? I am sure we all do. Let’s give a powerful signal in that direction.
In this context, let me
recall here an old and wise principle of conduct. When, in an effort to
advance human science or to help human beings in need, one faces a choice
between an unobjectionable means, such as “adult” stem cells, and a means that
is universally recognized as raising profound ethical questions, such as
“research” cloning, prudence dictates choosing only the unobjectionable means.
For these reasons,
the Holy See seeks a complete and explicit prohibition of all techniques of
creating new individual human embryos by cloning.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
