Prohibition of Human Cloning for Reproduction and the Regulation of Human Embryo Research Amendment Bill 2006

The majority voted against an amendment introduced by Greens Senator Kerry Nettle, which means it was rejected.

The amendment would have required the following: "the licence holder must agree to deposit in any Australian national stem cell repository, a sample of any stem cell line derived specifically for research."(Read Senator Nettle's full explanation of this amendment and the surrounding debate here after 4:21 pm. )

Due to the sensitive subject matter of this bill, the parties have agreed to allow it to be a free vote.(Read more about what a free vote is in our FAQ Section. More information about the decision to have a free vote on this bill is available on ABC News here. )

Background to the bill

The bill was introduced to amend the Prohibition of Human Cloning Act 2002 and Research Involving Human Embryos Act 2002. The amendments will permit certain human embryo research under licence but retain existing prohibitions on human reproductive cloning and other assisted reproductive technology activities.(Read information about the bill, including its explanatory memorandum and bills digest, here. ) For example, it proposes to allow for therapeutic cloning.(Read more about therapeutic cloning here. )

The amendments are based on recommendations by the Lockhart Review.(Read more about the Lockhart Review and the federal government’s response in the bills digest.)

References