Parents’ lawsuit delays tests to prove cloned baby

TESTS to identify whether a ba

DNA samples were to have been taken from the girl born on December 26 and her 31-year-old mother to see if they were an exact genetic match as has been alleged.

But the head of the cloning company which claims it engineered the baby said the parents were reconsidering allowing the tests after a court was asked to determine if they were fit guardians of the child.

Clonaid chief executive Brigitte Boisselier has insisted that the baby, nicknamed Eve, is the first of five cloned babies to be born, but scientists have been sceptical in the absence of DNA proof.

Independent experts had been scheduled to take samples of DNA from the girl and her mother last Tuesday.

But that did not happen and Ms Boisselier says the baby's parents are now unsure if it should be carried out at all.

"The parents told me that they needed 48 hours to decide yes or no if they would do it," she told France-2 television, adding that testing could happen with one of the other babies due to be born.

The lawsuit filed in Miami, Florida demands the appearance of the baby's parents in court on January 22.

But the couple may try to remain anonymous and not subject the child, whose identity and whereabouts are unknown, to any testing, Ms Boisselier said.

"The parents have gone home and they just want some peace and to spend time with their child," she said.

A Florida lawyer, Bernard Siegel, said he petitioned for the child to be made a ward of court because he believes that if the child is indeed a clone she is being abused.

"I was concerned that, if this is true, this child is an abused child, that it could have some serious genetic, fatal problems and that the child was being exploited by Clonaid," he said.

"I perceived that this child, more than any other child in the world, needs legal protection under the United States courts."

He added he was not working for a client, but launched the case on his own volition.

As a result of the petition, the parents and all those who participated in the alleged cloning are required to appear in court on 22 January.

Ms Boisselier said proof that human cloning is possible could be provided by a second baby, due to be born somewhere in Europe in the next few days.