MOSCOW, April 10, 2002 (LSN.ca) – With an overwhelming vote of 260-4, the State Duma has passed a bill containing a five year ban on cloning of human embryos. The law also bans imports and exports of cloned human embryos during this period. The preamble to the bill notes that the ban is introduced “due to the principals that respect human beings, recognize the unique characteristics of a personality, and due to a necessity to protect rights and freedoms”.
Those found guilty of violating the ban will face criminal penalty. The bill contains provisions for prolonging or cancelation of the bill in the future based on new scientific knowledge.
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