Primates have been cloned [1], human embryos have been cloned (supposedly) [2], and there are confirmed gene edited babies [3]. But, I doubt the existence of a ban means humans haven't been cloned, because I have trouble believing that a group that would successfully clone a human would be dumb enough to tell the world, state sponsored or not.
Primates are not humans, cloning embryos for stem cell research is different from creating human clones, and the scientist who produced the two CRISPR-edited children went to jail, and he and his associates are banned for life from working in this type of research or even providing care in this area.
Those specific primates weren't human, but humans are primates [1].
Here's a quote from the Boyalife CEO, before the ban in China [2]:
> The technology is already there," Xu said. "If this is allowed, I don't think there are other companies better than Boyalife that make better technology."
> The firm does not currently engage in human cloning activities, Xu said, adding that it has to be "self-restrained" because of possible adverse reaction.
I don't believe laws have the ability to stop greed, or the desire for longevity (organs [3] without lifelong immunosuppressant therapy is very appealing). They just add a risk factor. This is why criminals still exist in the world.
We shall see, but illegal research is not the same as other types of crimes - it requires vastly more resources and people, and it may not pay for a long time.
Now, if animal cloning becomes commonplace, I do believe it will be way easier for someone to sneak in human cloning alongside it.
Aren't primates at least similar to humans? We're both mammals, have similar physical characteristiscs. Why shouldn't cloning people work?
I come from a law background so I am not familiar with the science. I've heard biological goods such as stem cells, eggs, spermia etc. are becoming very valuable and they are not very protected. I suppose underground groups could easily get they're hands on whatever they need. Securing illegal goods from a physician doing IVF on humans could be all they need.
1. https://www.science.org/content/article/these-monkey-twins-a...
2. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2009-02/04/content_7443166...
3. https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/11/08/cloning-crispr-he-jiank...