7th Nov 2006, 4:09 PM – Senate Prohibition of Human Cloning for Reproduction and the Regulation of Human Embryo Research Amendment Bill 2006 - In Committee - Public health benefit

The majority voted against an amendment introduced by Greens Senator Kerry Nettle, which means it was rejected.

Senator Nettle explains that this amendment adds to the list of things that the National Health and Medical Research Council must consider when making a decision about granting licences to people who wish to do stem cell research. It adds: "the capacity of any scientific advances to be delivered through the public health system and or to reduce the global disease burden."(Read Senator Nettle's full explanation of this amendment and the surrounding debate here after 1:24 pm. )

Due to the sensitive subject matter of this bill, the parties have agreed to allow it to be a free vote.(Read more about what a free vote is in our FAQ Section. More information about the decision to have a free vote on this bill is available on ABC News here. )

Background to the bill

The bill was introduced to amend the Prohibition of Human Cloning Act 2002 and Research Involving Human Embryos Act 2002. The amendments will permit certain human embryo research under licence but retain existing prohibitions on human reproductive cloning and other assisted reproductive technology activities.(Read information about the bill, including its explanatory memorandum and bills digest, here. ) For example, it proposes to allow for therapeutic cloning.(Read more about therapeutic cloning here. )

The amendments are based on recommendations by the Lockhart Review.(Read more about the Lockhart Review and the federal government’s response in the bills digest.)

References