Wood: To What Extent Can the Law Control Human Cloning? 5 To What Extent Can the Law Control Human Cloning?

This paper explores the legal ramifications of human reproductive cloning in response to 'Dolly '- the first animal cloned from an adult cell. No attempt is made to address the complex moral and ethical dilemmas that will inevitably be consequential on future successes in human reproductive cloning. Some of the potential benefits of cloning are briefly summar-ized but discussion is focused primarily on the current state of the law in the UK and some other European jurisdictions. Attempts to legislate on human cloning in the US, the emerging role of the EU and amendments to the European Convention on Human Rights are outlined. The potential problems likely to be encountered in the enforcement of any global treaties or international regulations are highlighted. It is argued that attempting to control human cloning by imposing legal prohibition is futile and a pragmatic solution to this impending problem is required forthwith