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National Framework agreed to prevent the exploitation of human cloning
Australian Health Ministers today agreed to the development of a national framework to prevent the exploitation of human cloning.
National Framework agreed to prevent the exploitation of human cloning
Australian Health Ministers today agreed to the development of a national framework to prevent the exploitation of human cloning.
Meeting in Wellington today, Australian Health Ministers acknowledged that the development of complementary legislation across the states and territories was essential to ensure a consistent national approach to the cloning of humans.
Federal Health Minister, Dr Michael Wooldridge, said that implementation of today's agreement would contribute towards ensuring that these technologies are not misused in Australia.
"There is currently a scientific revolution occurring in the engineering and use of human tissue, and it is very important that Australian research remains at the cutting edge for the benefit of all Australians. However, it is also vital to ensure that this occurs within a framework that is acceptable to the wider Australian Community," Dr Wooldridge said.
"While today's agreement will lead to a national ban on the cloning of human beings, broader issues relating to human and therapeutic cloning are being addressed by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Legislation and Constitutional Affairs, which will report later this year."
Currently, responsibility for enacting legislation in the area of assisted reproductive technology (ART) lies with each State and Territory. Following today's agreement, each jurisdiction will need to work cooperatively to ensure consistency in banning the cloning of human beings.
State and Territory Health Ministers said that achieving this consensus was essential to guaranteeing consistency in Australia towards the use of this new technology for the purposes of cloning humans.
"In this age of rapid advances in medical research, Australians need to be confident that processes are in place to ensure that medical practices remain in step with what is acceptable to the wider community," said South Australian Human Services Minister and conference chair, Dean Brown.
The Health Ministers have committed to fostering ongoing consultation between jurisdictions, facilitated by the NHMRC, in order to further develop the establishment of State and Territory frameworks.
"This issue is being grappled with on the global stage and I commend my colleagues for this decision to ensure inappropriate research does not take place," Mr Brown said.
Media Contact: Serena Williams, Dr Wooldridge's office, 0411 261 627
Virginia Dove, Department of Health and Aged Care, 0411 255 229
Peter Gandolfi, Mr Brown's office, 0418 851 033
