The subject of cloning is one that raises a wide range of very sensitive and complex issues with associated legal, ethical, social and medical implications. While there is no legislation regulating this area, medical practice is governed by guidelines issued by the Medical Council. These provide that the creation of embryos for experimental purposes or the deliberate and intentional destruction of human life already formed is professional misconduct.
I am conscious of the degree of concern among the public about the absence of a statutory framework to regulate cloning and a range of other issues associated with the area of assisted human reproduction, including research on embryos. I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate the Government's total opposition to human cloning and our belief that it is appropriate to await the outcome of the commission's report before bringing forward policy proposals to regulate all matters arising in the sphere of assisted human reproduction, including human cloning, in a comprehensive, appropriate and informed way.
With a view to addressing concerns in this area, a commission on assisted human reproduction was established in March 2000 with the following terms of reference: "to prepare a report on the possible approaches to the regulation of all areas of assisted human reproduction and the social, ethical and legal factors to be taken into account in determining public policy in this area." The commission has met on 16 occasions to date. The first meeting was held on 26 July 2000 and the most recent on 16 January 2003. I understand that the commission has adopted an interdisciplinary approach to its work.