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, the state governments introduced similar legislation to mirror the federal law. Victoria, Western Australia,
South Australia, Tasmania, NSW and Queensland.
By April 2009, all states had considered such laws. All states except Western Australia
passed the laws.
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 part of the campaign we asked that people, as well as opposing the total bill in
each case, 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 the UK government
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
Several
articles appeared in The Advertiser that the South Australian
government was planning a similar bill. Eventually a Bill was drafted.
The South Australian House of Assembly debated and
passed this legislation in October 2008.
SA is the last state to debate
such laws. The Bill allowed the use of cloning to
create embryos which are then destroyed to obtain their
stem cells for use in research.
The
Bill went to the Legislative Council in March
2009. The Council voted in favour of the Bill by 12 votes to 9 - see report.
Western
Australia
The WA
government introduced a bill very similar to
Victoria's to allow cloning in
early 2008. The Parliament then sat after 8 May
2007 and debated 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.
In November 2007 new research (Japan
and USA) showed
that it is now possible to obtain ethical stem cells from adult tissue that
actually act in the same way as embryonic stem cells. THUS there is no need any
more for embryonic stem cells.
Read a report in New Scientist .
Human
skin 'reprogrammed' to form stem cells
20 November 2007.
Following that new development, Western
Australia’s Parliament voted AGAINST such cloning laws
in May 2008! Read report – click here.
Tasmania
The House
of Assembly passed the bill to allow cloning of embryos for research on 24
October 2007 by a vote of 15 to 9.
The Bill passed the Legislative Council on 14 November
2007.
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.
Cloning
Bill passes Legislative Council
ABC
, 14 Nov 2007.
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: 13 April 2009 |
