Human Dignity and Human Cloning

Since the cloning of human beings has become technically conceivable, a controversial ethical and legal debate on the desirability and admissibility of human cloning has evolved. The issue touches questions from different disciplines, such as biology, philosophy, theology and law. This book, although mainly focusing on the legal problems, therefore tries to find an interdisciplinary approach to this controversial subject. It contains contributions from philosophers, theologians, and a biochemist, as well as from national and international lawyers. In the first part, a philosophical and theological outline is presented by scholars considering the topic from different cultural and religious (Christian, Muslim, Buddhist and Jewish)viewpoints. Subsequently, the biological foundations are explained by leading scholars in this field. The final two parts are dedicated to the legal questions, considering first the situation under German constitutional law and then on the international plane. In the comprehensive Annex, the most relevant documents for the International (in particular from the UN), European and German legal systems are presented. Since The Cloning Of Human Beings Has Become Technically Conceivable, A Controversial Ethical And Legal Debate On The Desirability And Admissibility Of Human Cloning Has Evolved. The Issue Touches Questions From Different Disciplines, Such As Biology, Philosophy, Theology And Law. This Book, Although Mainly Focusing On The Legal Problems, Therefore Tries To Find An Interdisciplinary Approach To This Controversial Subject. It Contains Contributions From Philosophers, Theologians, And A Biochemist, As Well As From National And International Lawyers.--book Jacket. Pt. 1. Human Creation And Human Dignity In Religious And Ethical Perspectives -- Pt. 2. Human Cloning From A Scientific Perspective -- Pt. 3. Limits To Human Cloning Under The German Constitution -- Pt. 4. Limits To Human Cloning Under International Law -- Annex: Relevant International And National Documents -- I. International Convention Against The (reproductive) Cloning Of Human Beings -- Ii. Other International Resolutions And Declarations -- Iii. Council Of Europe -- Iv. European Union -- V. German Law. Edited By Silja Vöneky And Rüdiger Wolfrum. Mainly Updated Contributions Originally Presented At A Conference Held At The Max Planck Institute For Comparative Public Law And International Law In Heidelberg, October 2003. Includes Bibliographical References. Front Matter....Pages I-XXI Front Matter....Pages 1-1 The Creation and the Dignity of Man in Islam....Pages 3-12 The Pali Buddhist Approach to Human Cloning....Pages 13-22 Some Aspects of the Buddhist Assessment of Human Cloning....Pages 23-33 The Jewish Perspective on Cloning....Pages 35-45 Christianity and Western Philosophy....Pages 47-51 Front Matter....Pages 53-53 Human Cloning from a Scientific Perspective....Pages 55-60 Front Matter....Pages 61-61 The Human Embryo is a Person and not an Object....Pages 63-67 Does the German Basic Law Protect against Human Cloning?....Pages 69-75 Does Cloning Violate the Basic Law’s Guarantee of Human Dignity?....Pages 77-85 Back to Kant! An Interjection in the Debate on Cloning and Human Dignity....Pages 87-106 From Procreation to Generation? Constitutional and Legal-Political Issues in Bioethics....Pages 107-121 Front Matter....Pages 123-123 International Legal Limits to Human Cloning....Pages 125-132 Who Is Protected by Human Rights Conventions? Protection of the Embryo vs. Scientific Freedom and Public Health....Pages 133-143 The Negotiations on a Treaty on Cloning: Some Reflections....Pages 145-165 A Convention on Cloning — Annotations to an almost Unsolvable Dilemma....Pages 167-182 Back Matter....Pages 183-319 "Human Dignity and Human Cloning" contains contributions by philosophers, theologians and lawyers on legal and ethical questions concerning the reproductive and therapeutic cloning of human beings. The main focus lies on the admissibility of cloning in German Constitutional law as well as in public international law. As these legal questions cannot be answered without taking account of the ethical discussion, the topic is analyzed from different cultural and religious viewpoints