Japan Proposes Ban on Human Cloning

T O K Y O, March 7 -- Japan’s government is working on legislation that would make human cloning a crime that could carry a seven-year prison sentence.

The Science and Technology Agency, which drafted the bill, wantsto outlaw the introduction of cloned human embryos into the wombfor reproductive purposes as well as the creation of hybrid embryoswith human and animal genes, agency official Kimihiko Oda said. Thelegislation, however, could allow the cloning of human embryos forresearch purposes within strict limits, he said.

The measure reflects mounting concern that human cloning “maypose a threat to the maintenance of social order, the foundation ofwhich is the family,” Oda said. He added that several Europeancountries already have similar laws.

Offenders will likely be subject to prison sentences of three toseven years, several Japanese newspapers reported Monday, citingunidentified sources at the agency.

The agency presented the bill Monday to a committee of Japan’sruling Liberal Democratic Party, and it will probably go to thelower house of parliament by the end of the month, Oda said.