7th Nov 2006, 7:54 PM – Senate Prohibition of Human Cloning for Reproduction and the Regulation of Human Embryo Research Amendment Bill 2006 - In Committee - 15 day warrant duration

This division relates to the Policy For stem cell research.

The majority voted in favour of an amendment introduced by Australian Democrat Senator Natasha Stott Despoja also on behalf of Labor Senator Ruth Webber.

Senator Stott Despoja explained that the amendment reduces the duration of a warrant from a month to 15 days so as to prevent any excess warrant power.(Read Senator Stott Despoja's whole explanation and the related debate here, starting after 7.47 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