Vatican City, Jan 20, 2008 / 15:41 pm
Following news that corporate researchers had successfully cloned human embryos using the corporation founder’s own cells, the Vatican on Friday reiterated its condemnation of embryonic cloning research, Reuters reports.
"This ranks among the most morally illicit acts, ethically speaking," said Monsignor Elio Sgreccia, president of the Pontifical Academy for Life, which studies bioethical issues.
"There isn't even -- I won't say the justification, because it's never justified -- but not even the pretext of finding something (new)," he told Vatican radio.
Monsignor Sgreccia also said the cloning research was unnecessary, given that similar research advances avoid creating and destroying human embryos.