Stem Cell Research
In 2002, a ban on human reproductive cloning was enshrined in law when the Parliament passed two Acts: the Prohibition of Human Cloning and Research Involving Human Embryo Acts.
These Acts were the first nationally consistent framework for providing publicly accountable oversight of research on excess ART embryos that would otherwise be allowed to succumb. In 2005 the Acts were reviewed independently by a panel chaired by former Federal Court Judge, the late Hon. John Lockhart AO QC.
The review made 54 recommendations. Some endorsed the status quo; some required no changes to the law while others required only regulatory change. Around 20 recommendations suggested amendment to the 2002 law.
One recommendation in the Lockhart Review called for somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), commonly referred to as therapeutic cloning, to be made legal in Australia. SCNT involves creating a human embryo by transferring the nucleus from a human body cell (eg a skin cell) into a human egg that has had its original nucleus removed. In the short-term, SCNT will allow scientists to study the origins of specific diseases, and in the longer term, may generate therapies matched to each unique patient. SCNT is currently permitted in the UK, USA (in privately funded cases), Israel and Singapore, among others.
In September 2006, Senator Stott Despoja tabled an Exposure Draft Private Member’s Bill, the Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) and Related Research Bill 2006. This Exposure Draft Bill served as a model for the Prohibition of Human Cloning and Reproduction and the Regulation of Human Embryo Research Amendment Bill 2006, which was debated and passed by both Houses of Parliament in late 2006.
The National Health and Medical Research Council is in the process of updating its licensing regulations to suit SCNT and the other procedures enabled by this legislation. Once this is finalised, the Australian medical research community will have a powerful tool at its disposal in the ongoing fight against some of our most intractable diseases.
Inquiry into the Legislative responses to Recommendations of the Lockhart Review |
| Visit the Committee page |
Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) and Related Research Amendment Bill 2006 |
| Read the Bill |
| Read Senator Stott Despoja's Adjournment Speech relating to stem cell research |
|
Our Action
INTRODUCTORY SPEECH: Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) and Related Research Amendment Bill 2006 - Senator Natasha Stott Despoja, 14 September 2006
SECOND READING: Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) and Related Research Amendment Bill 2006 - Senator Natasha Stott Despoja, 6 November 2006
Question without Notice: Take Note of Answers - Stem Cells - Senator Natasha Stott Despoja, 20 June 2006
More Democrats press releases on stem cell research and other science & technology issues
|
