.. 
clone babies for the benefit of childless couples. Then US President Bill Clinton, on 
hand, said that “scientific progress should not take place in a moral vacuum.” 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
First Regular Session 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
the other 
I 
1
,
.
 
1509 
SENATE 
S.B. NO. 
I ’  
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Art. 14, Sec. 10, provides that science and technology are essential for 
national development and progress. Sec. 12, however, mandates the State to regulate the transfer 
of technology from all sources for the national benefit. 
On 13 January 1998, nineteen (19) European nations signed an agreement banning 
human cloning, the first compulsory juridical instrument of its kind in the world. Sixteen (16) 
other European countries out of the Council of Europe’s Convention on Biology and Medicine’s 
forty (40) member statesShave said that they will also sign the protocol which bans the creation 
of human beings genetically identical to others, whether alive or dead. 
Although the present local technology available for the success of such I cloning 
experiments is way behind European and American standards, the banning of these experiments 
in their respective countries may encourage foreign scientists to conduct their activities in 
countries where there are no such prohibition, like the Philippines. This bill seeks to prevent this 
specter from becoming a gruesome reality in our counhy. 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
First Regular Session 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
SENAT? 5 p 9 
I 
S.B. NO. 
1 ,  
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
TO BAN EXPERIMENTS ON 
THE CLONING OF HUMAN BEINGS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
Assembled. 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act may be cited as the “Banning on Experiments on 
Cloning of Human Beings Act.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - Although the Constitution states that science and 
technology are essential for national development and progress, and that the State shall give 
priority to research and development, invention, innovation, and their utilization, these policies 
are by no mezs absolute. In the face of the seemingly improper and immoral use of science and 
technology in experiments on the cloning of human beings, the State has the right to regulate and 
if needed be, declare unlawful, the transfer and adaptation of such technology to protect its 
human resources. Only then, with the banning of such experiments, can the state claim that it 
truly values the dignity of every human person. 
- ~- 
, 
SECTION 3. Definition of Term. For purposes of this Act, the term “Cloni 
growing or creation of a human being fiom a single cell or cells of a genetically identical human 
being through asexual reproduction. 
SECTION 4. Prohibited Acts. - The following shall be considered prohibited acts: 


involving human beings. 
SECTION 5. Penalties - The penalty for violating any provision of section 
SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, nile or regulation, not contrajr to, or 
inconsistent with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended 
accordingly. 
l'shall be 
SECTION 7. Efectivity Clause ,- This Act shall effect fifteen (15) days 'after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
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. .- - 
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Approved. 
M. 703