Cloning a Punishable Offense

Experiments or research in human cloning is an offense punishable by law and any violation means a fine of SR200,000 and six months in jail.

According to a new law on ethics in the research of synthetic biology, violators also face sanctions that begin with a warning to suspend research until further notice.

Cloning is the process of producing genetically identical individuals without natural conception. Because of legal, ethical and health hazards resulting from such production, a decision to impose such fines and sanctions was made.

The law prohibits research on human gametes (a male or female cell that unites with a cell of the opposite sex to be finally developed into an embryo) and fertilization unless done within the ambit of the Shariah and the generally accepted medical norms, and if the research is justified in terms of its contribution to medical knowledge and technological applications.

Under the new law, it is mandatory for a researcher to take approval from the human gametes’ donors or spouses, in addition to informing them on the expected benefits and hazards of the...