Written Answers. - Assisted Human Reproduction.
Question:
53
Dr. Upton
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
the progress made to date 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; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[5787/02]
Assisted Human Reproduction raises 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 issues by the Medical Council. However, these apply only to registered medical practitioners and would be ineffective in the case of any such service operated by other persons.
I am conscious of the degree of concern among the public about the absence of a statutory framework to regulate this area. As a first step towards addressing these concerns in a comprehensive and informed way, the 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 ten occasions to date. The first meeting was held on 26 July 2000 and the most recent on 17 January 2002. 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 which need to be addressed. The working groups meet on a regular basis to discuss their tasks and to progress the work of the commission.
I have been informed that the work group structure facilitates close attention to a relatively limited range of topics by a highly specialised group. It also facilitates the detailed exploration of a range of ethical and social implications that arise from assisted human reproduction.
The commission organised a one day conference for commission members and an invited audience of about thirty in Dublin Castle in September 2001. The conference dealt with the social, legal and ethical factors inherent in assisted human reproduction. It provided an opportunity for an exchange of views between experts in the various fields from Ireland, the UK, France and Germany.
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 of the current state of public opinion in Ireland on assisted human reproduction, the commission 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. In excess of 1,600 submissions have been received by the commission, and are currently being examined.
I understand that the commission is engaged in a number of information gathering exercises that include: (1) a survey of assisted human reproduction services provided in specialised clinics – a survey instrument was drafted by the commission with a view to establishing the extent of the provision of assisted human reproduction services in Ireland. The members of the secretariat are administering it and returns are already complete from the majority of recognised assisted human reproduction centres in the country; (2) a survey of general practitioners – the commission has issued a survey instrument to a random sample of 50% of GPs in all health board areas. Replies were requested by 15 February and I understand that a high proportion of those surveyed have responded; and (3) a survey of obstetricians and gynaecologists – the commission is in the process of finalising a survey instrument for obstetricians and gynaecologists to elicit information on their level of involvement in assisted human reproduction services.
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.
