London - Britain announced plans yesterday to ban human reproductive cloning in an unprecedented bid to ease public concerns over new genetic technologies.
The Health Secretary, Mr Alan Milburn, said he wanted to lay to rest the "twin spectres" of human cloning and the emergence of a "genetic underclass" by introducing legislation barring all forms of human reproductive cloning.
Health officials said Britain was the first country in the world to propose such laws, which came in reaction to public perceptions that reproductive cloning may be akin to the creation of Frankenstein's monster.
Several top scientists welcomed the news, but "pro-life" groups dismissed it as "pure political spin" aimed at pleasing voters ahead of an expected general election on June 7th.