CGS big logo Overview linkTechnologies linkPolicies linkAnalysis linkPerspectives link

 

 
Home >> Analysis >> Promoting the New Eugenics - Developing the Technologies >> Human Cloning Efforts 
home
newsletter
resources
site map
about us

 
 

Activities intended to lead to the birth of a human clone as well as efforts to build public acceptance of reproductive cloning are underway.

In general, those who argue in support of human reproductive cloning are marginal figures of little influence. However, their efforts are legitimized by many noted scientists, opinion makers and others who proclaim that human cloning is "inevitable," even as they deny advocacy of human reproductive cloning.

Acknowledged efforts to create a cloned human being

Reported covert efforts to clone a human being


Acknowledged efforts to create a cloned human being

Three sets of scientists claim to be actively involved in efforts to clone a human being:

Severino Antinori

Antinori is an Italian fertility researcher who became known in the early 1990s for his controversial work in helping post-menopausal women have children. In early 2001, he announced his intention to begin active efforts intended to lead to the birth of a clonal child. In May 2002, he said that some 40 people across 18 countries were involved in his project, and that three women, two in Russia and one in an Islamic country, were carrying fetuses. However, his response to queries as to whether these fetuses were the result of cloning were vague; some scientists doubt that he is as far along as he claims. Still, the effort appears to be a serious one.

For additional information on Antinori see below.

Panos Zavos - http://www.aia-zavos.com/, http://www.zavos.org/

Zavos and Antinori were partners in an effort to create a cloned child until May 2002, when Zavos disassociated himself from Antinori's work and claims. In May 2002, Zavos indicated that he had assembled a 9-person team of scientists, located at two sites (one in Europe and the other "somewhere between Greece and India") and had screened and approved 12 couples for participation in cloning experiments. He predicted the birth of a human clone from these efforts in 2003. Zavos holds a doctorate in physiology and was formerly a professor at the University of Kentucky.

For additional information on Zavos see below.

The Raelians and Clonaid - http://www.rael.org/, http://www.clonaid.com/

The Raelians are an international religious sect based on the belief that life on Earth was created through genetic engineering by extraterrestrials. Based in Montreal, Canada the Raelians claim they are the world's largest UFO-related organization, with 55,000 members in 84 countries. Clonaid, their human cloning company, is operated by Dr. Brigitte Boisselier.

The Raelians claim that cloning technology will eventually enable people to reach eternal life. At the moment there is no evidence that their claims of readiness to begin cloning experiments are credible, and there is speculation that the entire effort may be fraudulent.

For additional information on the Raelians see below.

Reported covert efforts to clone a human being

"The Creator" and "The Client"

In its Februray 2001 issue of Wired reporter Brian Alexander recounted his conversations with a 30-year old scientist with "a Ph.D. in molecular biology, a list of peer-reviewed publications, and a research job at a big-name university," who had begun work intended to lead to reproductive cloning. Alexander also described his dinner with the sponsor of the effort, a "Western European businessman" whose son had died of cancer. According to Alexander, the "Creator" had already secured the cooperation of an IVF clinic in a major Asian city. Those involved planned to implant clonal embryos in 5 to 10 surrogate mothers, in the hopes that one would be healthy and come to term. See Brian Alexander, "(You)2," Wired (Vol. 9, No. 2, February 2001), http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/9.02/projectx.html

Related Articles

Jesse Reynolds, "Human Biotechnology: Responding to Emerging Dangerous New Human Genetics," Z Magazine (April 2003)
Resources >> CGS >> "Human Biotechnology"

Marcy Darnovsky, "The Misstep of Human Cloning," San Francisco Chronicle (January 6, 2003)
Resources >> CGS >> "The Misstep of Human Cloning"

Resources >> CGS >> Response to Cloning Claim

"Media Reaction to Raelian Cloning Claim," Genetic Crossroads (#29, January 12, 2003)
Newsletter >> Archive >> Issue #28

"Cloning Advocates at the National Academy of Sciences," Genetic Crossroads (#19, August 18, 2001)
Newsletter >> Archive >> Issue #19

Off-Site Links

More Information on Severino Antinori:

More information on Panos Zavos

More Information on the Raelians

More Information

Perspectives: Explore various communities' concerns regarding human genetic technologies

Policies: Read about existing and potential regulations

Technologies: Learn the basic science and consider arguments for and against

Date modified: