There are a number of attempts at controlling human cloning at the international level through organizations such as the United Nations (UN), the United Nations Educational, Social and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), various international medicine related groups like the World Health Organization (WHO) and even the International Olympic Committee (IOC) (Isasi, 2003; Centre for Genetics and Society, 2002). The most notable international movement to control human cloning stems from the UN. Although a decision has not yet been made, a resolution has been put forth to ban reproductive cloning.

The originators of the resolution, France and Germany, felt an immediate need for an international treaty to ban reproductive cloning (Centre for Genetics and Society, 2002). However, quick progress has not been made due to several countries’ rejection of the proposed treaty, stating that both issues of reproductive and research cloning need to be addressed simultaneously (Centre for Genetics and Society, 2002). Virtually every international organization that has a decree of cloning condemns reproductive cloning as an “unethically acceptable” (World Health Organization, 1998; Isasi, 2003) activity. When it comes to research cloning, opinions are mixed, where supporters claim that research should “adhere to strict guidelines.” (World Medical Association, 1987; Isasi, 2003)

To reach an international agreement on any issue is a lengthy and difficult process. Gaining some sense of advancement, the European Parliament passed a resolution in September 2000 banning all research into human cloning. This essentially includes stem cell research and research cloning. Their support for the banning of cloning was again reinforced by its support of the US – Spain initiative to form an international treaty banning research and reproductive cloning. Although this is not binding for all nations in the European Union, it is an influential force (Centre for Genetics and Society, 2002).

From international and continental treaties comes the signatory nations’ implementation of the agreements. Nations do this by enacting and enforcing laws that comply with the signed accord. Many nations have enacted laws regarding human cloning even though they have not signed any international treaties. The laws of various countries’ vary in their definition of cloning, as well as the scope of what is and what is not allowed. Some countries’ laws on cloning are vague and may only be implied from other legislation. Most developed countries have some legislation regarding cloning. Of those that do, most prevent reproductive cloning by national law. When it comes to research cloning, there is more variation. Where there isn’t a law, most nations have one in preparation, or its prohibition is more or less implied through treaties that they have signed on a continental level or through other non-specific laws. Developed nations that do not have any laws regarding the reproductive cloning of humans are mostly focused in the Middle East and the former Soviet Republics. Although these nations do not have national law regarding human cloning, they are signatories of the continental agreements that cover this issue. In essence, every developed nation has some form of control regarding reproductive cloning and where research cloning is not banned, there are regulations controlling what doctors and researchers can and cannot do.