This statement was held in the 6th Committee on 22nd October under item 150 "International Convention against the reproductive cloning of human beings":
Mr Chairman,
Norway's position has been expressed on numerous occasions since the introduction of this item on the agenda of the Sixth Committee.
I would however, briefly like to reiterate the basis of our position, namely that respect for the inviolability of life, and principles based on the equal value of all humans, form the ethical platform for the Norwegian Government in this fundamental issue. As a consequence, the Norwegian Government opposes not only the reproductive cloning of human beings, but also therapeutic cloning. This position has been incorporated into our legislation, which accordingly prohibits both forms of cloning.
Norway's priority has been to contribute to the elaboration of an effective instrument on human cloning, with the broadest possible support. We have before us two draft resolutions. The L2 proposed by Costa Rica aims at a total ban while the Belgian proposal L8 will lead to a prohibition on reproductive cloning and leave the question of therapeutic cloning for national legislation to decide. As far as Norway is concerned, only the Costarican draft is consistent with our position. We have therefore joined the group of States that are cosponsors of that draft resolution.
In concluding, Mr. Chairman, we sincerely hope that the committee this year will arrive at a satisfactory solution.
Thank you, Mr Chairman