Topic 4.2: UK to oppose human cloning ban

http://education.guardian.co.uk/higher/news/story/0,9830,1433013,00.html

Britain will vote against a voluntary worldwide ban on human cloning at the United Nations today. The ban is against any sort of cloning, while the British ministers strongly back the embryonic stem-cell research. According to health secretary John Reid, it is completely unacceptable to stop research for potential new treatments for serious and fatal diseases. This is the only reason for the UK to vote against the ban on human cloning: cloning is illegal, and attempting it means facing a 10-year prison sentence and an unlimited fine.

I understand the point of view of John Reid, although the sign given by the Britons saying no to the ban is negative. I am against cloning, but I do back research for treatments for serious and fatal diseases. I think I would have made the same choice. If you read or listen to the reasons given for this 'no', it makes sense, but if you just hear the 'no', it sounds bad. But there is a law against cloning so I am fine with it.