Clonaid Claims Embryos Needed for Human Cloning Produced in Korea

The controversial international cloning company, Clonaid has announced they've produced the human embryos needed to clone babies right here in Korea. The firm which was created by a UFO cult known as the Raelians said Tuesday they have implanted human embryos cloned in a South Korean research center into wombs.

Clonaid said these embryos were the ones used to create Eve, the first-ever cloned human being in December 2002 and also to give birth to their sixth cloned baby boy in Australia early this month. Clonaid declined to offer details of the research center nor the cloning process. Experts here are skeptical about Clonaid's latest claims, pointing out there are very few institutions that are equipped with such high cloning technology.

They are criticizing the group for defaming the reputed work of Doctor Hwang Woo-suk who recently led a research to extract stem cells from cloned human embryos for the first time in the world. The reaction is generally negative around the world with many scientists doubtful that Clonaid produced its sixth human clone since the organization has failed to present DNA evidence to back their claims. However, the validity issue aside, some researchers voice caution, saying the incident serves as a reminder of the present dangers posed by any study leading to the cloning of humans.