Its main task would be to hit the asteroid with a given positional accuracy and relative velocity.

Belgium voted against the Declaration because it makes no distinction between reproductive cloning and therapeutic cloning.

Mr. Lovald (Norway) The Norwegian Government opposes both reproductive cloning of human beings and cloning for therapeutic purposes.

United Nations Declaration on Human Cloning

Our approach to therapeutic cloning thus remains unchanged.

A bit of cloning, you can get them back.

International convention against the reproductive cloning of human beings

It is essential that reproductive cloning be categorically prohibited.

South Africa will continue to strictly regulate therapeutic cloning.

We also believe that the text of the resolution does not cover the fundamental and well known differences that exist between reproductive cloning and therapeutic cloning.

The Declaration annexed to the resolution is difficult to interpret as permitting therapeutic cloning and does not respect the differing views of Member States on therapeutic cloning.

In accordance with the Declaration, States will adopt relevant legislation which prohibits reproductive cloning but which allows, within the relevant legal framework, the development of therapeutic cloning.

South Africa, for its part, is against reproductive human cloning.

56 93. International convention against the reproductive cloning of human beings

We voted against the political Declaration on Human Cloning because some of its provisions could be interpreted as a call for a total ban on all forms of human cloning.

Mr. Peersman (Netherlands) The Netherlands voted against the draft Declaration on Human Cloning because it can be interpreted as a call for a total ban on all forms of human cloning.

Mr. Laurin (Canada) (spoke in French) Canada's position on cloning is clear.

Although there was a remote chance that the burst and this galaxy were unrelated, their positional coincidence provided strong evidence that GRBs occur in distant galaxies rather than within the Milky Way.

(a) Member States are called upon to prohibit the reproductive cloning of human beings they are also called upon to prohibit other forms of human cloning inasmuch as they are incompatible with human dignity

That position is reflected in our domestic legislation, which prohibits both forms of cloning.

We cannot, however, support attempts aimed at viewing all forms of cloning as equivalent.

Human cloning for therapeutic purposes would seek to reverse that natural order of things.

Unable to reach a consensus on a binding convention, in March 2005 a non binding United Nations Declaration on Human Cloning, calling for the ban of all forms of human cloning contrary to human dignity, was adopted.

Many people are still unaware that women s eggs are a crucial part of therapeutic cloning.

The debate over therapeutic cloning is, of course, hardly limited to the US and Italy.

The substance is used in the polymerase chain reaction technique, in sequencing, and in cloning.

For example, Singapore has not only consistently advocated the move to ban reproductive cloning, but we have gone ahead and introduced our own legislation to ban reproductive cloning and to strictly regulate all activities that might result in it.

We will now take action on the draft resolution entitled United Nations Declaration on Human Cloning .

Mr. Lobach (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian) The issue of cloning involves complex scientific and ethical questions.

This is a step forward towards a future convention that would prohibit all forms of human cloning.

Sir Emyr Jones Parry (United Kingdom) The United Kingdom voted against the draft Declaration on Human Cloning because of the reference to human life, which we consider can be interpreted as a call for a total ban on all forms of human cloning.

The General Assembly has missed another opportunity to adopt a convention prohibiting reproductive cloning. Why is that so?

From the outset, my delegation warned that the creation of a simple and straightforward dichotomy between so called reproductive cloning and therapeutic cloning was leading us towards an excessive simplification of the question, given all of the unknown factors that science has yet to uncover.

Ms. Katungye (Uganda) Uganda voted in favour of the draft Declaration on Human Cloning because, as a nation, we are firmly opposed to all forms of cloning that involve the destruction of embryonic stem cells and erode respect for and the protection of human dignity.

However countries vary in their understanding of the moral, ethical and legal questions related to research on therapeutic cloning.

The Republic of Korea has already instituted the strictest measures within its domestic laws to regulate cloning related research.

Japan will go forward with the implementation of therapeutic cloning research under strict conditions, while fully respecting human dignity.

Nevertheless, the Declaration represents a further step towards the adoption of a truly universal approach to regulating human cloning.

Therapeutic cloning research may well open up important avenues for the advancement of medicine that otherwise would remain closed.

Tools and reagents Nuclear transfer is a delicate process that is a major hurdle in the development of cloning technology.

We hope that the present Declaration is only one step not the final stage in the consideration of human cloning.

Mr. Siv (United States of America) The United States welcomes the adoption of the United Nations Declaration on Human Cloning.

Mr. Abebe (Ethiopia) Ethiopia voted in favour of the United Nations Declaration on Human Cloning, which has just been adopted.

However, it should be stressed that the Chinese Government will maintain its stance against reproductive human cloning and will strengthen its regulation and control of research into therapeutic cloning in order to ensure that human dignity and the internationally shared ethical concept of human life will not be undermined.

With respect to therapeutic cloning, we believe that, in the interest of science and the well being of humankind, it is reasonable to maintain, at the national level, the option of proceeding with that form of cloning, within strictly defined procedures and conditions and under the appropriate controls.