Gay Mitchell
Question:63 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children his plans for immediate legislation to govern cloning and other genetic research. [30929/01]
Written Answers. - Legislative Programme.
Ruairí Quinn
Question:66 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Health and Children his proposals to regulate and control cloning, especially having regard to the disclosure that a human embryo has been cloned in the United States; the progress which has been made by the Commission on Assisted Human Reproduction, which was established in February 2001; if he will urge the commission to expedite the publication of its report having regard to public concerns regarding human cloning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30906/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 63 and 66 together.
The subjects of cloning and research on embryos are ones which raise a wide range of very sensitive and complex issues with associated legal, ethical, social and medical implications. While there is no legislation regulating this area, medical practice is governed by guidelines issued by the medical council. These provide that the creation of embryos for experimental purposes would be professional misconduct. I am conscious of the degree of concern among the public about the absence of a statutory framework to regulate cloning and a range of other issues associated with the area of assisted human reproduction, including research on embryos. I am aware that this concern may have been heightened particularly in light of the reports from the United States that a human embryo has been cloned.
With a view to addressing these concerns in a comprehensive and informed way, a Commission on Assisted Human Reproduction was established in March 2000 with the following terms of reference: "to prepare a report on the possible approaches to the regulation of all areas of assisted human reproduction and the social, ethical and legal factors to be taken into account in determining public policy in this area."
The commission has met on eight occasions to date. The first meeting was held on 26 July 2000 and the most recent on 22 November 2001. I understand that the commission has adopted an interdisciplinary approach to its work. Initially, each discipline – medical, legal scientific and social, prepared a report outlining the current position within that discipline in relation to assisted human reproduction. Working groups were then formed to examine specific topics and issues that needed to be addressed. The working groups meet on a regular basis to discuss their tasks and to progress the work of the commission.
When the commission was set up, I indicated that it would be required to seek submissions from the public and to consult appropriate interests. In order to inform itself on the current state of public opinion in Ireland on assisted human reproduction, the commission recently placed an advertisement in the newspapers inviting interested members of the public, professional or voluntary organisations and other parties who wished to do so to make written submissions before Wednesday, 31 October 2001. Over 1,600 submissions have been received by the commissions and are currently being examined.
Given the difficult nature of the issues to be examined it is not possible to be definitive about the length of time it will take the commission to complete its work, but I am satisfied that it is making significant progress and will continue to work as expeditiously as is feasible. The publication of the commission's report will provide the basis for informed public debate before the finalisation of any policy proposals.