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While the U.N. has postponed consideration of a global ban on "therapeutic" cloning for two years and the European Union is to fund research on living human embryos (Nov. 03), Italy has reacted against it. Disability Tribune, December/January 1993-4, reported that Italy's new law to regulate reproductive technology would focus on the rights of "all subjects involved in the assisted reproduction process, including those of the conceived." "Embryos will be untouchable: the law bans any testing of embryos for research and experimental purposes (such as cloning), freezing embryos or embryo suppression, and forbids pre-implantation diagnosis for preventing genetically transmitted diseases. "The new legislation has gained worldwide condemnation by scientists working in this field. However, many members of the disabled peoples' movement think this is a step in the right direction because it ends the discriminatory practice of eliminating disabled embryos during the IVF process and prevents undue pressure on parents to abort a disabled foetus."
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