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Mr Chairman,
New Zealand supports scientific progress in the fields of biotechnology and genetics in a manner respectful of human rights and for the benefit of all.
New Zealand shares, however, international concern about the human rights implications of human cloning. In New Zealand’s view, the reproductive cloning of human individuals by artificial means is ethically unacceptable and contrary to human dignity.
Mr Chairman,
New Zealand recognises that these new scientific practices of such enormous ethical significance require clear regulation. The New Zealand Government has already determined that reproductive cloning should be prohibited in domestic law. Proposed legislation including such a prohibition is currently under consideration in Parliament. We therefore support the initiation of international negotiations to ban human reproductive cloning.
New Zealand has not yet, however, had the opportunity to conclude consideration of the advantages and disadvantages presented by the use of cloning for therapeutic and research purposes. We are yet to assess whether beneficial research can be developed using non-reproductive cloning techniques, such as production of stem cells for use in the development of therapies for disease. Such techniques may have the potential to alleviate human suffering. The New Zealand government plans to consult with scientific and ethical experts and the public about non-reproductive cloning and embryo splitting. We are not in a position to prejudge the outcome of those domestic consultations in this international forum. For this reason, New Zealand is unable to support the commencement of negotiations on a broader ban on all forms of cloning at this stage.
Mr Chairman,
It is important that any international negotiations on a convention to address human cloning are supported by the widest possible consensus. Any legal instrument resulting from such negotiations will have value only if it is capable of receiving universal acceptance. In this context, New Zealand underscores the Sixth Committee’s longstanding and strong presumption towards action by consensus.
Such a consensus will only be possible if the international community adopts a graduated approach on the way forward, and we encourage all delegations to continue efforts to find a solution towards that end during this session.
