Genetics Policy Institute (GPI) - A global non-profit organisation dedicated to curbing Human Reproductive Cloning
19 January 2004: On 31 December 2002, Bernard Siegel, a Florida-based child advocate attorney, filed a lawsuit against the cloning company Clonaid, after they announced the birth of the first human clone on Boxing Day 2002. Siegel argued that if the company had indeed cloned a baby, the child - which could have some serious genetic and fatal problems - was being exploited and a guardian should be appointed for the child. Through the case, Siegel was able to establish that the so called human cloning company, 'Clonaid' was a 'sham', lacking a board of directors or even a street address. The case collapsed on 29 January 2003 following the announcement that 'Baby Eve' was living in Israel and so was outside the US courts jurisdiction. Since then, Siegel has set up an non-profit organisation called the Genetics Policy Institute (GPI) dedicated to curbing human reproductive cloning (which it vigorously opposes) whilst preserving therapeutic cloning of stem cells (also known as so!
matic cell nuclear transfer - SCNT), which holds the promise of treating many diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, heart disease and cancer.
GPI played a key role in preserving SCNT in November and December 2003, when it spearheaded a global effort to challenge a US/Costa-Rican led coalition that sought a UN ban on all forms of cloning, including therapeutic cloning. More than 60 national academies of science worldwide, and 40 Nobel Laureates have issued statements in support of therapeutic cloning research. Members of the Interacademy Panel (IAP) and scientists from universities and research institutes in many countries called on the United Nations to exempt stem cell research from this cloning ban. GPI's grassroots call to action resulted in a successful email, letter and petition drive that caused the opposition to abandon its immediate plans to force a vote, and instead defer the decision to September 2004.
Following the recent announcement by fertility specialist Panos Zavos, that human reproductive cloning techniques have been used to implant a woman with the first cloned human embryo, it is vital that the international community halts the activities and claims made by these rogue scientists to ensure no safe havens exist for them to practice and eventually succeed in this highly unethical work. In October 2003, GPI launched the World Court Initiative asking the UN General Assembly to seek an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (World Court) to legislate on this issue and declare human reproductive cloning a crime against humanity.
GPI sponsors international projects and educational programs relating to the law and regulation of reproductive cloning, therapeutic cloning (SCNT) and stem cell research, serving as a gateway to the public, media and key decision-makers. Ian Wilmut, a leading UK stem cell scientist who cloned Dolly the Sheep, is one of many scientists, physicians and legal experts from around the world who serve on the GPI advisory board. Last year, GPI received endorsement from the Biotechnology Industry Organisation (BIO), which represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions and related organisations in all 50 US states and 33 other nations.
As the anniversary of the end of the Clonaid case approaches and the UN vote on these issues is set for September 2004, GPI urgently advocates for the prohibition of human reproductive cloning, on the grounds that it is dangerous and unethical and also advocates legislation to support and regulate stem cell research and therapeutic cloning research (SCNT).
Bernard Siegel is available for comment and can be reached via following contact details: Tel: (+1) 305 801 4928; Fax: (+1) 305 667 5123; Email: [log in to unmask]; www.genpol.org; Postal address: Bernard Siegel, Executive Director, Genetics Policy Institute, 4000 Ponce De Leon Blvd., Suite 470, Coral Gables, Florida 33146
Ken Okona-Mensah
International Public Relations
Genetics Policy Institute (GPI)
[log in to unmask]
www.genpol.org
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