UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY Statement by
Mr. Chairman, Allow me at the outset to express my sincere appreciation to you for your able and diplomatic skill in guiding us through the fruitful discussions on this delicate issue of reproductive cloning of human beings. During the deliberation of the Working Groups as well as ours here since yesterday afternoon, we learned compelling arguments on how the international community should handle the issues of reproductive and therapeutic cloning. We understand that those arguments are basically based on the ethical, social, legal, religious and philosophical views of different countries and peoples. Many of the positions have indeed gone through previous rigorous national debates. Indonesia’s position, for one, is the outcome of an intensive exchange of views among government officials, including the Ministry of Religious Affairs the Ministry of Research and Technology, and the Ministry of Health, religious organizations from different affiliations, academic institutions (including universities that are associated with different religious affiliations), the Association of Medical Doctors, Indonesian Academy of Sciences, scientists, the National Commission of Human Rights, and other members of civil society. However complex and sensitive the issue is, we have also witnessed an emerging consensus, namely the banning of reproductive cloning of human beings. Indonesia believes that it would be irresponsible for the international community not to address, as a matter of urgency, the lack of an internationally binding instrument on the banning of reproductive cloning of human beings in the midst of attempts by irresponsible scientists to undertake such experiments. Clearly, it would send a wrong message to the scientific world. The different approaches on the issue of therapeutic cloning clearly reflect different ethical, social, legal, religious and philosophical views of individual countries. Therefore, it would be unwise to impose one’s own beliefs upon others. The international community must respect the differences of approaches, principles and beliefs that are manifested into the positions of these countries. The prospects of valuable contributions of therapeutic cloning research for curing disease and improving human life, Indonesia also shares the view that such research should be undertaken only under the strictest regulations and control. Mr. Chairman, Taking into account the considerable impact of our deliberation today on the life of human beings in the future, Indonesia encourages the various parties to dedicate their wise and thoughtful cooperation towards enabling a consensus on this sensitive issue. I thank you Mr. Chairman.
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