Cloning fears grip papers

The claim by scientists in South Korea that they have succeeded in cloning human embryos generates much debate in Friday's papers.

It prompts the Daily Mail to ask whether we are playing God.

The paper acknowledges that science must be encouraged to find ways of relieving suffering from diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

But it gives a warning that the moral dimension of human cloning cannot be ignored.

The Times - speaking of an essentially welcome scientific advance - cautions that considerable education and persuasion will be needed if people are to be convinced that cloning does not threaten the future of humanity.

Clone humour

The cartoonists offer a light-hearted angle on the story. Tim, in the Independent, pictures a canteen customer being asked: "How do you like your eggs - fried or cloned?

The Daily Telegraph's Matt looks ahead to St Valentine's Day with a novel card verse: "Roses are red of various tones, I don't need you now, I've made thirty clones."

The front page of the Independent is dominated by what it calls Britain's latest "slave labour" scandal.

According to the paper, more than 50 Greek migrant workers have been rescued by a Roma rights organisation after accusing gangmasters of keeping them in unspeakable conditions as flower pickers in Cornwall.

The report is accompanied by a picture of a memorial service in Morecambe for the 19 Chinese cockle pickers who drowned on the beaches.

The Guardian also pictures the scene - observing that the people of Morecambe witnessed a simple Buddhist ceremony of great reverence and dignity.

EU changes

Most papers mull over the significance of Michael Howard's call for a flexible Europe.

Both the Mail and the Sun believe the Conservative leader could be pushing at an open door.

The Mail says his Berlin speech was well-timed - pointing out that the forthcoming enlargement of the EU offers a huge opportunity for a change of direction.

The Times remarks that both Mr Howard and Tony Blair are refocusing on the domestic agenda after the past year's rows over Iraq.

But Iraq again features on some of this morning's front pages. The Financial Times says a confidential report from the American aid agency, USAid, disputes the official line that security is improving.

The Guardian says International Trade Minister, Mike O'Brien, is to fly to Washington next week to support British firms bidding for contracts to help rebuild Iraq.