Parliament of Australia:Senate:Committees:Community Affairs Committee:Legislative responses to recommendations of the Lockhart Review

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Legislative responses to recommendations of the Lockhart Review

30 October 2006

View the report as a single document - (PDF 769KB)

A corrigendum to Senator Kerry Nettle's additional comments was tabled on 6 November 2006 and has been incorporated into the final report.

View the report as separate downloadable parts:


Membership of the Committee	(PDF 94KB)

Chapter 1 - Introduction	(PDF 136KB)
Terms of reference Conduct of the Inquiry Background history and chronology Committee's Report on the Provisions of the Research Involving Embryos and Prohibition of Human Cloning Bill 2002 Legislative Review Committee Senators' Bills seeking to give effect to Lockhart recommendations

Chapter 2 - The Lockhart Review Recommendations	(PDF 124KB)
Recommendations Committee members

Chapter 3 - The Majority Report - The case for the Lockhart Recommendations	(PDF 264KB)
Introduction Overview of the science relevant to this Bill A. Assisted Reproductive Technology B. Stem Cell Science The Lockhart Review Committee The Lockhart Committee Membership What did the Lockhart Committee consider? What impact do the Lockhart recommendations as proposed in the Patterson Bill have on the application of the existing legislation? The science The case for SCNT Research Creation of Disease-Specific Embryonic Stem Cell Lines Better understanding of ageing process and cancer Understanding de-differentiation Adult and embryonic stem cell complementarity What has changed since 2002 Jurisdictional discrepancies Reflecting plurality in legislation Evidence supporting other specific Lockhart Recommendations Amending the definition of an embryo Obtaining fresh embryos for research Allowing the international exchange of genetic material National stem cell bank Community Standards Response to specific comments raised in opposition Embryonic Stem cells and cancer risk Slippery slope argument and future reviews Availability of ova Conclusion

Chapter 4 - The case against - Arguments opposed	(PDF 228KB)
Summary Insufficient scientific merit of SCNT Embryonic stem cell research has not justified allowing SCNT The limitations of embryonic stem cells Embryonic stem cells cause cancer Stem cell lines from SCNT are genetically unstable Embryonic stem cells are difficult to control Adult stem cells provide greater hope The egg supply problem Egg donation risks Ensuring informed consent Alternative egg sources The slippery slope Other changes opposed Legislative definition of an embryo The source of the definition Part (a) of the definition Part (b) of the definition Fresh 'unsuitable' ART embryos Number of excess IVF embryos and embryos from cadavers and aborted foetuses The Lockhart Review Committee's preconceived approach Lockhart Committee 'stacked' Demonstrated bias

Additional comments in support of the Bill	(PDF 71KB)

Additional comments - Senator Stott Despoja and Webber	(PDF 93KB)

Additional comments by Senator Kerry Nettle	(PDF 138KB)

Additional comments by Senators Polley, Stephens and Hogg	(PDF 65KB)

Additional comments - Family First	(PDF 146KB)

Appendix 1: List of public submissions and tabled documents authorised for publication by the Committee	(PDF 155KB)

Appendix 2 - Witnesses who appeared before the Committee at public hearings	(PDF 110KB)

Appendix 3 - Summary of Lockhart recommendations and how these are addressed in the Patterson Bill	(PDF 136KB)

Appendix 4 - Stem cells, cloning and related issues	(PDF 144KB)

Appendix 5 - Lockhart Review recommendations and explanations	(PDF 223KB)

For further information, contact:

Committee Secretary
Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Australia

Phone: +61 2 6277 3515

Fax: +61 2 6277 5829

Email: community.affairs.sen@aph.gov.au