States propose
cloning and embryo stem cell research legislation
Following the passing of the federal 'cloning' bill, in December 2006, to allow
the creation of embryos for embryo stem cell research, several state governments
have introduced similar legislation to mirror the federal law - Victoria, Western Australia,
South Australia, Tasmania and Queensland.
If you live in these three states,
PLEASE take action!
Overview
The federal legislation continues to
ban reproductive cloning (ie leading to the birth of a baby from such processes)
but allows the creation of embryos by SCNT (somatic cell nuclear transfer). The
Bill was called "Prohibition of Human Cloning for Reproduction and the
Regulation of Human Embryo Research Amendment Bill 2006".
The theory
is that it takes genetic material from a donor and implants that into a donor
egg from which the genetic material has been removed (leaving the outer 'shell' of the egg). After several days of the
embryo developing it is killed when the stem cells are removed.
Since the process involves the creation and then the destruction of life we
believe as Christians that the process is unethical and should not be allowed.
Adult stem cells have already been used to find over 70
cures and treatments whereas embryo stem cells have been used in NO treatments.
Click here for the latest results and
studies.
As well as opposing the total bill in each case,
PLEASE also ask specifically that the use of eggs
from aborted babies NOT be allowed and that hybrid
animal-humans not be created.
The use of eggs from aborted
babies was allowed in the federal law and is an abhorrent practice. The
creation of animal-human hybrids was banned federally but teh UK governemnt
is considering allowing such experimentation.
No Human Cloning
For
more information see the website set up for the federal debate in 2006 -
Lots
of really helpful information and articles!
Around the
States:
South
Australia
There has been a
media report in The Advertiser that the South Australian
government is planning a similar bill. This was followed by a second
article in The Advertiser saying that the report was
premature and that no bill had been drafted. However, it is time to tell our MPs
that we don't support such legislation.
ACTION: South
Australians, please write to your MPs...
Click here for details of MPs.Voters have one representative in the House of
Assembly, but are represented by ALL Members of the Legislative
Council.
Also write to Premier Hon Mike Rann - ramsay@parliament.sa.gov.au
Attorney General - Hon Michael Atkinson
- croydon@parliament.sa.gov.au
Leader
of the Opposition (Liberal) - Hon Iain Evans - davenport@parliament.sa.gov.au
Western
Australia
The WA government has also also
introduced a bill very similar to
Victoria's. The Parliament does
not sit again until the 8 May 2007 - when the Bill will be debated.
The
Bill is called the Human Reproductive Technology Amendment Bill
2007.
The Bill is posted on the web. Click here.
The Catholic church is opposing this bill. Where are the other
churches??????
Click here for ABC
news item.
Media article: Therapeutic
cloning bill introduced in WA, The West, 28th March
2007.
ACTION: If you live
in Western Australian, please write to your MPs before 8 May
2007.
Each voter has one representative in the Legislative Assembly
and 5 or 7 members in the Legislative Council.
Click here for details of
MPS...
Also write
to:
Premier - Hon. Alan John Carpenter - alan.carpenter@mp.wa.gov.au
Attorney
General - Hon. Jim McGinty - jim.mcginty@dpc.wa.gov.au
Leader
of the Opposition - Hon. Paul Domenic Omodei - paul.omodei@mp.wa.gov.au
Tasmania
The House of Assembly passed the bill to
allow cloning of enmbryos for reseach on 24 October 2007 by a vote of 15 to
9.
Media:
Cloning Bill
passes Tas Lower House
ABC, 24 Oct 2007.
The bill was
expected to pass the Legislative Council, with estimates of voting given as
11 in favour to 3 against. It was adjourned to discuss amendments.
Bills already
passed:
Queensland
The Queensland Legislative Assembly passed a bill -
the Research Involving Human Embryos and Prohibition of
Human Cloning Amendment Bill 2007 - to allow cloning of
embryos on 11 October 2007 by a vote of 48 to 34.
Click here
for the Minister for Health's media statement.
Click here
for the Bill.
Victoria
The Victorian government has PASSED a bill allowing the creation of embryos by
‘therapeutic cloning’ for embryonic stem cell research.
Health Minister Bronwyn
Pike introduced the "INFERTILITY TREATMENT AMENDMENT BILL 2007" on 13 March
2007.
Click
here for
the Bill.
Click here for the revised Act following the
passing of the Bill.
Legislative Assembly:
The Bill had its
second reading and was debated in the Legislative Assembly on 17 April. The
Assembly passed the
Bill 58 to 25. Proposed amendments - for example to BAN the
use of eggs from aborted babies - were defeated.
Media Report of
Legislative Assembly vote:
House
supports cloning bill
The Age, April 19, 2007
The Catholic
archbishop Denis Hart and the Anglican Archbishop have both spoke out strongly
and urged the government not to pass the law.
Legislative
Council
On 3 May 2007, the Legislative Council voted 23 to 16 to approve the Bill
Media Report:
Stem
cell bill clears upper house
The Age, 4 May
2007.
New South Wales
The NSW Parliament has passed a bill to allow 'therapeutic
cloning'.
Click here
for the Parliament website on the Bill and its progress/vote. It was passed by
the Legislative Assembly on 7 June 2007 and by the Legislative Council on 26 June 2007. Author: Jenny Stokes | Modified: 25 March 2008 |
