THE Rector of Colne has underlined his opposition to human cloning.
The Rev Peter Mott says that in a sermon last year he argued that it was ethically permissible to use stem cells from human embryos to help cure people.
Writing in the new edition of Colne Parish Church magazine he adds Parliament this year gave permission for this practice while reaffirming that human cloning should remain a criminal offence.
Mr Mott says now an Italian Professor has publicly stated he is prepared to carry out human cloning in an unnamed Mediterranean country.
Says the minister: "I wish to make clear that I agree with the Human Fertilisation and Embyology Authority and the Church of England Board for Social Responsibility that this is wrong in humans...."
Mr Mott says it is wrong because there are technical difficulties; because human beings should be valued for their own sakes not for their genetic make up and because it would create an inter-generational relationship of a totally new and highly doubtful kind."
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