The Decolonization and Political Comittee

“Cloning”, an umbrella term used to describe the process of replicating biological material, has seen remarkable advances in the last decade. Concurrently, these scientific breakthroughs and endeavors have also ushered in heated debates among both the academic community and society writ large over potential negative ramifications. Today, the concept and possibility of cloning remains a delicate issue, one that is both divisive and promising.

Background

The possibility of human cloning was first raised when Scottish scientists successfully created the much-celebrated sheep "Dolly" in 1997. As the first-ever reproductively cloned organism, Dolly’s creation aroused worldwide interest and concern because of the associated scientific and ethical implications. Since Dolly, researchers have cloned a number of large and small animals including sheep, goats, cows, mice, pigs, cats, rabbits, and a gaur.

A basic understanding of the different types of cloning is key to taking an informed stance on current public policy issues.[1] 1) DNA cloning refers to the transfer of a DNA fragment from one organism to a self-replicating genetic element such as a bacterial plasmid. The DNA can then be propagated in a foreign host cell. This technology has been around plasmid

since the 1970s, and has become a common practice in molecular biology labs. Recombinant DNA technology is important for learning about other related technologies, such as gene therapy, genetically modified engineering of organisms, and genome sequencing.

2) Reproductive cloning is a technology used to generate an animal that has the same nuclear DNA as another currently or previously existing animal (Dolly was created by reproductive cloning). In a process called "somatic cell nuclear transfer" (SCNT), scientists transfer genetic material from the nucleus of a donor adult cell to an egg whose nucleus has been removed. The reconstructed egg containing the DNA from a donor cell must be treated with chemicals or electric current in order to stimulate cell division. Once the cloned embryo reaches a suitable stage, it is transferred to the uterus of a female host where it continues to develop until birth. Dolly's success is truly remarkable because it proved that genetic material from a specialized adult cell could be reprogrammed to generate an entirely new organism. Reproductive cloning also could be used to repopulate endangered animals or animals that are difficult to breed.

3) Therapeutic cloning is the production of human embryos for research. The goal is to harvest stem cells (undifferentiated cells that have divided in an egg after five days) that can be used to study human development and treat disease. Stem cells are important because they can generate virtually any type of specialized cell. Many researchers hope that one day stem cells can be used to serve as replacement cells to treat heart disease, Alzheimer's, cancer, etc.

While there are benefits of improving food nutrition, treating deadly diseases, and understanding the human body that can be derived from cloning projects, there are also numerous related risks. Cloning is expensive and highly inefficient. In addition to low success rates, cloned animals tend to have more compromised immune function and higher rates of infection, tumor growth, and other disorders. Multiple cloned animals are affected with "large offspring syndrome" and debilitating conditions and several have died prematurely from infections and other complications; the same problems would be expected in human cloning.[2] As a result, many scientists and physicians believe that it would be unethical to attempt to clone humans.

Tough issues yet to be reconciled in human cloning involve the question of how such procedures should be regulated and by whom, the various socio-cultural implications in a cloned child’s life, and the relative benefits of cloning compared to the costs to human dignity.[3] Importantly, it is debated whether cloning is tantamount to “playing with nature,” where humans inappropriately intrude in God’s plan of creation. Those with a religious orientation particularly find intervention in the form of human cloning unacceptable, while post-materialist people are less sensitive to the issue of “playing God.” A serious related concern is a future doomsday scenario—a world of artificially created, inorganic, and homogenized beings who have no variation or room for unique advancement—that may result from excessive cloning.

United Nations members are bitterly divided over the cloning issue. The UN abandoned efforts in 2004 to agree on a legally binding treaty on cloning because members could not decide whether to ban all human cloning, or to ban reproductive cloning and allow stem cell and other research, which many scientists believe may lead to new treatments for diseases.

The U.S. has a longstanding tradition that all forms of cloning are wrong and repeatedly makes efforts to prevent cloning. Currently, there are no federal statutes against cloning: Congress failed to pass legislation in the 1997-98 session, and in 2001 the House of Representatives passed a bill to ban both reproductive and research cloning (which President Bush indicated he would sign) but the Senate tabled the legislation and a vote was never taken.[4]

Islamic countries announced in advance that they would abstain because there was no consensus on the text. As till now, most Muslim countries have not adopted policies or laws on cloning. In the absence of an explicit stance, many are being asked by supporters to back cloning.

Western European countries, particularly Britain, Belgium, and Sweden, advocate cloning.

The East Asian countries, namely China, Singapore, South Korea, and Japan support research and therapeutic cloning alongside the Europeans. However, they do recognize the diversity of views on this issue that cause individual countries to adopt different views.

The goal of the Social, Cultural and Humanitarian Committee during the conference will be to address the above mentioned issue. Bearing in mind the repercussions and advantages of cloning, the ethical and moral dilemma, this committee will serve to reach a fruitful conclusion on the above issue. Steps to be taken in order to achieve the desired results will also be discussed.

ü What are the cultural and social norms that prevail in the country and how are they being addressed by the government

ü Do we in the UN want to completely abolish cloning in principle? If so, what maybe the repercussions of that and how may they be addressed?

ü If we chose to support cloning, will it be limitless or will there be some form of restraint mentioned?

ü Suggestions be put forward how best to handle this issue and how best to implement it as well.

· American Association for the Advancement of Science: Policy Brief Human Cloning

· For general information on cloning, visit MEDLINEplus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, to access a collection of resources.

· For the latest news on cloning, see The New Scientist Special Report: Cloning and Stem Cells

· Human Cloning and Human Dignity: An Ethical Inquiry. The President’s Council on Bioethics. Washington, DC, July 2002.

· McGee, Glenn. The Human Cloning Debate. 3^rd ed. Berkeley Hills Books: Berkeley, CA, 2002.

· Understanding Cloning (Science Made Accessible). Scientific American. Warner Books, 2002.

INTRODUCTION

The UN General Assembly agreed on the principle of the basic right to a free press on December 10, 1948. Article 19 of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights asserts that “everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”[5] The subsequent international documents on human rights recognize that freedom of expression and press is a fundamental right throughout the world. The International Convenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights are just to name a few. However, despite the increased international efforts to uphold the freedom of the press, 1,006 media outlets were censored, 63 journalists and 5 media assistants were killed, 807 journalists were arrested, and 1,308 reporters were either physically attacked or threatened all within the last year.[6] This means that despite increased attention to freedom of the press and access of information and communication, the number of journalists killed every year has actually peaked.

A free press can also be conducive to self-censorship in order to safeguard national and cultural values. It can also lend itself to bribery from privately-owned media empires that seek to influence the content of the press.

On the other hand, a press that is free could easily plummet to yellow journalism, where the news is sensationalized and often reflects the interests of a strategic alliance between the business world and media owners. Governments may also covertly use their power to purchase or withhold subsidies in order to influence reporting. State-controlled media reduces significantly the degree of yellow journalism and gossiping. Nonetheless, it offers only one-sided reporting, which can then easily become propaganda for state policy or a state-led enterprise. It is no surprise that state-run media can also sometimes mobilize the masses to discriminate against particular minority groups, and other practices that may violate peoples’ human rights.

Government restrictions on the press in the Middle East emerge in the form of legal penalties for offenses such as criminal, blasphemous, and civil libel, and violations of national security or emergency regulations. Press laws in national constitutions regulate anything said or done in the public media, through censorship, prosecution, or force. For instance, according to Freedom House, “Yemen's constitution provides for freedom of the press, but the overall legal framework regulating the press is weak. The Law outlaws direct personal criticism of the head of state, and the penal code provides for fines and imprisonment for publishing "false information" that "threatens public order or the public interest."[8] Saudi Arabian authorities constitute another example of restrictive government policies. As a matter of national security, criticism of Islam or the ruling family by domestic media is not allowed; “these prohibitions are echoed by a media policy statement that urges journalists to uphold Islam, oppose atheism, promote Arab interests, and preserve cultural heritage.”[9] Despite the fact that freedom of expression and speech is guaranteed by the national constitution, it remains deeply restricted by laws, decrees and administrative orders. Governments in the Middle East own the majority of newsprints. Other printed materials are subject to censorship. The Internet also remains under control of the government.

In the Middle East, journalists and writers are subject to special laws and special courts: “laws governing freedom of expression are so harsh, violating them in some countries may result in the closure of the publication, putting the writer in jail, fining him, and banning him or her from writing for the media for the rest of his or her life.”[10] This explains the rankings of the Freedom House report, which designates Middle East Press as “not free”, with the exception of Israel, Kuwait and Lebanon.

It also needs to be kept in mind that freedom of press may also be an issue in developed countries, not merely in the Middle East. There are threats and restrictions even for those countries termed most liberal to its press. It needs to be evaluated what determines freedom of press and how it can be gauged.

(REGIONAL) BLOC POSITIONS

There are several ways to approach the lack of free press in the Middle East (and the rest of the world). While it will probably be necessary to collaborate with neighbour nations, NGOs, and associations of professional journalists, the extent and form of any future plans will be hotly debated.

One approach originates through the Arab Press Freedom Watch, which was established to “defend freedom of the press, human rights, and promote democracy.”[11] This independent organization monitors the violations of freedom of expression in the Arab world. They make these violations public and campaign to remove state restrictions on the right to free expression. APFW believes in educating citizens about their right to freedom of expression, demand free access to information and communications, and to establish a fair and just judicial system. They assert that economic obstacles deter the strengthening of independent (non-state) media development.

Another approach is proposed by the Arab Lawyers’ and Arab Journalists’ Union that campaigns for the removal of restrictive legislation, adoption of tolerant laws and a fair judiciary regarding cases of freedom of the press. A fair judiciary system that abolishes imprisonment as a penalty to freedom of speech and the press is one of their main goals. “The Union [has] also agreed in principle on a project aiming to compensate journalists and their families in case of partial handicap or death during the covering of armed conflicts.”[12]

COMMITTEE MISSION

The goal of the Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee is to develop a clear position on the degree of freedom of press in the Middle East and its impact on social, economic and political reform. It must decide on a thorough plan to strengthen and enable conditions for press freedom, and to restrict those factors that limit such freedom in the region. The committee will be open to all suggestions even those not mentioned above. However, it needs to be kept in mind the debate focuses mostly on the Middle East so the solutions should be presented keeping the bloc under consideration, in mind.

ü What tensions exist between the desire to promote freedom of expression and the desire to promote a civil society?

ü To what extent are national security measures valid when they undermine the free press?

ü What are the minimal enabling conditions necessary for a developing society to cultivate a free press?

ü Which is more urgent, establishing freedom of expression or establishing the conditions of civil society that make expression free?

ü Can the press deal with both censorship and propaganda to report a more accurate story?

ü Does the press have a responsibility limited to reporting the facts, or should it be actively engaged in the battle against terrorism, xenophobia and group hatred?

Ayalon, Ami. The press in the Arab Middle East : a history. Oxford University Press: New York, 1995.

Goldstein, Eric. The Internet in the Mideast and North Africa : free expression and censorship. Human Rights Watch: New York, 1999.

Hafez, Kai. Mass media, politics, and society in the Middle East. Hampton Press: New Jersey, 2001.

Rugh, William A. The Arab press : news media and political process in the Arab world. Syracuse University Press: New York, 1979.

Attacks on the Press in 2003. Worldwide Survey by the Committee to Protect Journalists.

[1] Human Genome Project Information: Cloning Fact Sheet, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science/Office of Biological and Environmental Research. Last updated 9 July 2004. Available at: <http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/cloning.shtml>

[2] “What are the risks of cloning?” The Genetic Science Learning Center, the University of Iowa. Last updated 2006. Available at: <http://gslc.genetics.utah.edu/units/cloning/cloningrisks>

³“Cloning Human Beings: Report and Recommendations by the National Bioethics Advisory Commission,” Rockville, MD: June 1997.

[4] “Federal Policies on Cloning,” The Center for Genetics and Society. Last updated 4 October 2004. Available at: <http://www.genetics-and-society.org/policies/us/cloning.html>

[5] http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html

[6] http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=16088

[7] http://www.freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=202&year=2005

[8] http://www.freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=16&year=2005

[9] http://www.freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=16&year=2005

[10] http://www.apfw.org/indexenglish.asp?fname=report\english\spe1001.htm

[11] http://www.apfw.org/indexenglish.asp?fname=report\english\spe1001.htm

[12] http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/031018/2003101811.html

Introduction

Background

INTRODUCTION

(REGIONAL) BLOC POSITIONS

COMMITTEE MISSION