Human cloning lab operating in Mideast - top scientist

CLONING LAB: Human closing research is taking place in the Middle East, Dr Panayiotis Zavos has confirmed. (Getty Images)

Controversial research into the cloning of human beings is taking place in the Middle East, a leading cloning expert confirmed on Sunday.

Dr Panayiotis Zavos, the Cypriot scientist who is trying to clone a human baby for the first time, told Arabian Business that the lack of anti-cloning laws in some Middle Eastern countries made the region attractive for cloning research.

Asked if he had a laboratory for cloning in the region, Zavos said: “The answer to that is yes.” He refused to disclose the exact location.

Speculation in the international media regarding the existence of a secret cloning lab in the Middle East has been ongoing for months.

“My next efforts will be taking place in the Middle East because it is a lot easier environment to work in. [The Middle East is] where I have to go as an opportunist, as someone who wants to do something. You go into the environment which is conducive to you doing something,” he said.

Dr Zavos added the Middle East’s patriarchal culture coupled with high infertility rates could prove to make it a lucrative region for future cloning.

Dr Zavos claimed in 2004 to have successfully cloned the first human embryo for reproductive purposes. Last month he said he had created a human and cow hybrid embryo for study purposes, using the skin cells of Cady, a dead ten year old American child.

It would not be possible for any cloning laboratory to be situated in the UAE. Human cloning, as well as research, experiments and the use of technology relating to it, was banned last year by the President of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

In 2005, the UN General Assembly approved a non-binding declaration banning all forms of human cloning, which was backed by all the GCC countries, except for Oman, which abstained.

Print | Email | Discuss this article

| Share |

READERS' COMMENTS

Cloning Humans
Posted by Tasir Hussain, dubai, UAE on Thursday 14 May 2009 at 15:27 UAE time


Well... this is just ridiculous and disgusting to know. Scientists can use their time and effort in other constructive ways and fields. They can research on more deadly diseaes rather than concentrating to clone someone. MAY ALLAH GUIDE THEM.

Restricted Cloning
Posted by JB, Doha, Qatar on Thursday 14 May 2009 at 14:45 UAE time


Human cloning is a disaster at this point, but could be perfected over time...but why? Hey guys, we like creating children the natural way. Concentrate on stem cell and growing perfect organs to replace donor organ transplantation, anti-rejection medications, and a lifetime of wondering when the replaced organ is going to fail.

well guys..
Posted by ron, Dubai, UAE on Monday 4 May 2009 at 14:28 UAE time


Imagine a certain loved one to you is ill and has a few days on a death bed, unless they get this certain organ (either a donor or a replicated cloned organ)- are you still gonna be thinking the same way? especially if that someone is a 5 year old child? will your principles be that strong at that point?

Human cloning!
Posted by Moomen, Dubai on Monday 4 May 2009 at 14:26 UAE time


To me, it is not a surprise and one day it is going to happen! Same ethical issues were raised when a test tube bay was produced for the first time but the technique is now a routine in any of the infertility clinics all over the world. If a gender selection is allowed and even advertised in UAE, why should they ban cloning??? Cloning is as bad as gender selection, because in both the cases we play with the nature.???

View all comments (6) >>

Click here to post a comment

Add your Comment All posts are sent to the administrator for review and are published only after approval. ArabianBusiness.com reserves the right to remove any comment at any time for any reason. Please keep your responses appropriate and on topic. Arabian Business would like to point out that only comments relevant to the story will be published. Any containing personal insults or inappropriate language will not be approved.
Name *
Remember me on this computer
Email *	(Your email address will not be published)
City
Country
Subject *
Comment *
Notify me of further comments
Enter the words above *
Please click post only once - your comment will not be published immediately.

MORE FROM ARABIANBUSINESS.COM