Legal Effects of Cloning In Iranian Law and Jurisprudence

Cloning of human beings outside of the natural reproduction system and finding ways to make human life longer are among the long-awaited dreams of men. Cloning is a new method in the medical world and a new technique for treatment of infertility. In this method, contrary to natural birth, a living organism is created not through natural fertilization but by means of combining a body cell with a sexual cell, where only the body cell affects the characteristics of the produced embryo.This phenomenon may on the one hand increase our knowledge of embryo growth and development, functions of genes, use of umbilical cord stem cells for organ transplant and treatment many fatal diseases; while on the other hand, it may result in the destruction of cloned human embryos and other irreversible effects such as dishonoring the human race and destruction of the social role of families and significance of lineage and descent among men. Despite this, the jurists have not yet provided a final ruling about the legitimacy or illegitimacy of the issue. This paper focuses on the legal aspects of cloned individuals in the legal system of Iran. Considering all topics covered about cloning, although there is no total agreement among the jurists yet, but it can be said that cloning may be considered legitimate so far as no damage is inflicted on the society. And the cloned child may definitely be called legitimate.