About Us

This section provides an introduction to the Advisory Committee on Assisted Reproductive Technology (ACART), including information about our members, terms of reference, decision-making framework and the history of policy advisory committees in New Zealand.

Introduction to ACART

The area of human assisted reproductive technology advances at an astonishing rate. While these technologies offer many potential benefits for infertile couples, there are also uncertainties, risks, and unknowns. Against this backdrop, the Advisory Committee on Assisted Reproductive Technology (ACART) has been established to formulate policy and advice specific to New Zealand within this controversial field.

ACART has been established under the Human Assisted Reproductive Technology (HART) Act 2004. As an independent advisory committee, ACART sits between the government and the people of New Zealand and formulates advice and guidelines for the regulation of assisted human reproduction. ACART is required to undertake extensive public consultation before issuing advice or finalising guidelines.

The members of ACART welcome your input and hope that this website will serve as a substantial first step into the challenging world of assisted human reproduction in New Zealand.

Guiding Principles

ACART shall be guided by the following principles.

The health and well-being of children born as a result of the performance of an assisted reproductive procedure or an established procedure should be an important consideration in all decisions about that procedure
The human health, safety, and dignity of present and future generations should be preserved and promoted
While all persons are affected by assisted reproductive procedures and established procedures, women, more than men, are directly and significantly affected by their application and the health and well-being of women must be protected in the use of these procedures.
No assisted reproductive procedure should be performed on an individual and no human reproductive research should be conducted on an individual unless the individual has made an informed choice and given informed consent.
Donor offspring should be made aware of their genetic origins and be able to access information about those origins.
The needs, values, and beliefs of Māori should be considered and treated with respect.
The different ethical, spiritual, and cultural perspectives in society should be considered and treated with respect.

Page last updated 20 April 2009