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57TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Mr. Chairman,
My delegation is pleased to see you at the helm of our working group once again. We are confident that your experiences in international law and your diplomatic acumen will lead us to a fruitful conclusion of this meeting. We pledge the full support of our delegation in that endeavor.
Mr. Chairman,
The subject of cloning is a topical one at the moment. It is new, complicated and has elicited varied concerns. We appreciate however the endeavor taken in our last meeting during the expert-level segment to address issues of genetics and biotechnology on cloning. This delegation was able to gain some understanding on the scientific, technical, ethical, philosophical and legal information on issues that have been obscure and misunderstood regarding this subject.
Mr. Chairman,
Kenya is concerned that the recent successful cloning of mammals and other animals clearly indicates that if the current "biotech" research on human beings is acquiesced or undeterred we will soon have cloned human beings.
Proponents of therapeutic cloning have done well in explaining to us its medical benefits, and conversely, they are not at all convincing on how to treat the side effects. Further more, other pertinent issues such as the need to preserve life, the sanctity of life itself, the human rights questions and legal problems cannot be brushed aside and justified by alleged medical reasons, which are but under research.
Mr. Chairman,
Kenya is against any further progress on reproductive cloning of Human Beings as well as "therapeutic" cloning by use of embryonic stem cells. Human stem cells should be used for research purposes instead. We are happy to work towards an international consensus along this line with a view to agreeing on a future legislation on the matter.
I thank you.
Kenya Mission to the United Nations © 2002 by CODIA |