Spain to vote with US in favor of total cloning prohibition

Madrid, Spain, Nov 4, 2003 / 22:00 pm

The Spanish government has announced it will not join a block of European countries that is seeking to keep the United Nations from passing a total ban on human cloning for “therapeutic” reasons.  The World Body will vote this Thursday on a proposal by Costa Rica to prohibit all types of cloning.

According to local press reports, Spain will not join the United Kingdom, France, Germany and other countries that are supporting a Belgian proposal to stop the Costa Rican initiative, which is supported by the United States and more than 40 other countries.

The United States Ambassador to the UN, John Negroponte, has sent letters on the issue of cloning and the Belgian proposal to 100 countries telling them it would be “extremely unfortunate” if there were a delay in the decision which, once approved, would allow for an international convention.

“There is an urgent necessity to act now to face the growing threat of human cloning,” said Negroponte.

Last week, pro-life observers warned the representatives of the nations of America about a “non-action” initiative to be proposed by Belgium during the next General Assembly, to ignore the Costa Rican proposal that intends to ban all types of human cloning.

During the meeting, Belgium and other countries will propose this “non-action” initiative so that the Costa Rican proposal is not made known to the general body.  Therefore, explained pro-life groups, it is important that the majority of countries in America are alert and vote first against this non-action initiative, and later vote in favor of the Costa Rican proposal against human cloning.