Due date for human clone
The week's news at a glance.
Rome
The first human being created by cloning is due to be born in January, Italian fertility doctor Severino Antinori announced this week. The controversial doctor said that an unidentified woman had been carrying a cloned embryo for 33 weeks and that the fetus was “absolutely healthy.” Many scientists doubted Antinori’s initial announcement last May, when he said three women had been impregnated with clones—but a birth in January could prove them wrong. It would also appall almost everyone. Some scientists favor the cloning of human embryos for medical research, but ethicists, scientists, and governments agree that creating living humans from one person’s genes would cross a dangerous ethical boundary. Antinori, though, has made a career of ignoring boundaries. He became famous by implanting embryos in post-menopausal women over 50.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Laura Lippman's 6 favorite books for those who crave a high-stakes adventure
Feature The Grand Master recommends works by E.L. Konigsburg, Charles Portis, and more
-
Book reviews: 'Bad Company: Private Equity and the Death of the American Dream' and 'Desi Arnaz: The Man Who Invented Television'
Feature Private equity and the man who created 'I Love Lucy' get their close-ups
-
Can Texas redistricting save the US House for the GOP?
Today's Big Question Trump pushes a 'ruthless' new plan, but it could backfire