Work Programme

1. Advice on Human Reproductive Research

Section 37 of the Human Assisted Reproductive Technology Act 2004 states that the Advisory Committee on Assisted Reproductive Technology (ACART) must, within timeframes agreed with the Minister, provide the Minister with information, advice, and, if it thinks fit, recommendations on the following matters in relation to the use of gametes and embryos in human reproductive research:

cloned embryos
donations of human embryos
genetic modification of human gametes and human embryos
human gametes derived from fetuses* or deceased persons
hybrid embryos
requirements for informed consent
the import into, or export from, New Zealand of in vitro human gametes or in vitro human embryos.

ACART submitted its advice to the Minister of Health on 28 June 2007 and is awaiting the Minister's response. ACART has published the summary of summary of public submissions and will publish its advice to the Minister in due course.

Should the Minister decide that human reproductive research should proceed in some form, ACART will develop and consult on guidelines for use by ECART in considering research applications.

* ACART is yet to consider the use of human gametes from fetuses.

Page last updated: 15 August 2008