Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Feb 2003

Vol. 561 No. 1

Written Answers. - Assisted Human Reproduction.

Mary Upton

Question:

113 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children when he expects to receive the report of the commission on assisted reproduction; if he will consider asking the commission to expedite its report, having regard to the increased concerns regarding human cloning; if he has proposals to control human cloning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3430/03]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

The subject of cloning is one that 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 issued by the Medical Council. These provide that the creation of embryos for experimental purposes or the deliberate and intentional destruction of human life already formed is 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 would like to take this opportunity to reiterate the Government's total opposition to human cloning and our belief that it is appropriate to await the outcome of the commission's report before bringing forward policy proposals to regulate all matters arising in the sphere of assisted human reproduction, including human cloning, in a comprehensive, appropriate and informed way.

With a view to addressing concerns in this area, 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 16 occasions to date. The first meeting was held on 26 July 2000 and the most recent on 16 January 2003. 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. 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 approximately 30 in Dublin Castle in September 2001. The conference dealt with the social, ethical and legal 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 on 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. The commission received more than 1,600 submissions.

I understand that the commission has engaged in a number of information gathering exercises that include: (i) 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; (ii) survey of GPs – the commission issued a survey instrument to a random sample to 50% of GPs in all health board areas. I understand that a high proportion of those surveyed responded; (iii) survey of obstetricians and gynaecologists – the commission also issued a survey instrument to obstetricians and gynaecologists to elicit information on their level of involvement in assisted human reproduction services.

The commission has also recently decided to have a survey of public attitudes-opinions on a range of questions related to assisted human reproduction carried out. The Deputy will also be aware that I performed the official opening of the commission's public conference in Dublin Castle last week. These are two more strands of the commission's ongoing consultation.

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. I assure everybody that there will be no undue delay in relation to bringing forward the necessary policy proposals.