The Universal Declaration on the Human Genome and Human Rights is a document that was issued by the
(UNESCO) at its 29th session in 1997. It was unanimously passed by the seventy-seven national delegations in attendance.
[Mike Pezzella, "International officials adopt rules covering cloning, gene research," ''Biotechnology Newswatch'', 17 November 1997, p. 1.]
The declaration is perhaps best known for its statement against
human cloning
Human cloning is the creation of a genetically identical copy (or clone) of a human. The term is generally used to refer to artificial human cloning, which is the reproduction of human cells and tissue. It does not refer to the natural concepti ...
and abuse of
human genome
The human genome is a complete set of nucleic acid sequences for humans, encoded as DNA within the 23 chromosome pairs in cell nuclei and in a small DNA molecule found within individual mitochondria. These are usually treated separately as the n ...
against human dignity.
The first article of the Declaration states that "The human genome underlies the fundamental unity of all members of the human family, as well as the recognition of their inherent dignity and diversity. In a symbolic sense, it is the heritage of humanity", article 2 that "Everyone has a right to respect for their dignity and their rights regardless of their genetic characteristics" and article 10 that "No research or research application concerning the human genome, in particular in the fields of
biology
Biology is the scientific study of life. It is a natural science with a broad scope but has several unifying themes that tie it together as a single, coherent field. For instance, all organisms are made up of cells that process hereditary i ...
,
genetics
Genetics is the study of genes, genetic variation, and heredity in organisms.Hartl D, Jones E (2005) It is an important branch in biology because heredity is vital to organisms' evolution. Gregor Mendel, a Moravian Augustinian friar wor ...
and medicine, should prevail over respect for the
human rights
Human rights are Morality, moral principles or Social norm, normsJames Nickel, with assistance from Thomas Pogge, M.B.E. Smith, and Leif Wenar, 13 December 2013, Stanford Encyclopedia of PhilosophyHuman Rights Retrieved 14 August 2014 for ce ...
,
fundamental freedoms
Fundamental rights are a group of rights that have been recognized by a high degree of protection from encroachment. These rights are specifically identified in a constitution, or have been found under due process of law. The United Nations' Susta ...
and
human dignity
Dignity is the right of a person to be valued and respected for their own sake, and to be treated ethically. It is of significance in morality, ethics, law and politics as an extension of the Enlightenment-era concepts of inherent, inalienable ...
of individuals or, where applicable, of groups of people". Its article 11 begins with the statement, "Practices which are contrary to human dignity, such as reproductive cloning of human beings, shall not be permitted."
See also
*
Common heritage of mankind
Common heritage of humanity (also termed the common heritage of mankind, common heritage of humankind or common heritage principle) is a principle of international law that holds the defined territorial areas and elements of humanity's common heri ...
References
External links
Universal Declaration on the Human Genome and Human Rights(2000 publication)
UNESCO
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