media release

DATE 23/04/09

Claims of Human Cloning Make a Mockery of Human Life

Claims by US-based fertility doctor Panayiotis Zavos that he has cloned 14 human embryos and implanted 11 of these in women warrants immediate rebuke by the international community.

In his interview, given to the British newspaper the Independent, Dr Zavos stated that although none of the pregnancies had been viable, a cloned baby was only a matter of a couple of years away. “To speak of these 14 new lives lost as some kind of experiment by-product is abhorrent and should serve as a stark reminder to all Australians that the issue of cloning has gone too far.” Senator Polley warned. “Each embryo is a human life, without exception, and it is people such as Dr Zavos who are playing a dangerous and unacceptable game with these lives, all in the name of ‘science’.”

Senator Polley has renewed her calls to ensure that Australian laws do not change to allow such unethical and controversial cloning experiments. “Strong and clear laws banning human cloning are the only way to stop such reckless behaviour. Babies are not a designer product to be experimented upon, refined and purchased. Each child is unique and a blessing and the idea of human cloning undermines this uniqueness.”

“I sincerely hope that Dr Zavos’ claims of a cloned baby within the next 2 years remain a fanciful notion that will never be realised,” Senator Polley stated “now or ever.”

For additional comments, please do not hesitate to contact Sancia Colgrave on (03) 6331 2599.