ACART Annual Report 2006/07

Advisory Committee on Assisted Reproductive Technology Annual Report 2006–2007
Including the 2006/07 Annual Report of the Ethics Committee on Assisted Reproductive Technology

Date of publication: October 2007

Summary
Publication availability
Publishing information

Summary

During the 2006/07 fiscal year, the Committee has furthered its work programme as defined under the Human Assisted Reproductive Technology Act 2004 (the HART Act).

The Committee undertook extensive public consultation and presented the Minister of Health with advice on human reproductive research on 30 June 2007. The submissions made to the Committee were assessed within a larger analysis that informed ACART’s advice. Other factors taken into account included the potential scientific and medical benefits, international literature on the ethics of embryo research, New Zealand policy and practice in related areas, and policy and practice in other jurisdictions. In forming its advice, ACART was also guided by the principles of the HART Act.

Significant work has been undertaken in preparation for public consultation in late 2007 as an input to ACART’s advice to the Minister of Health on assisted reproductive procedures. Work has also started on developing advice on the use of previously cryopreserved eggs and establishing a monitoring regime.

Another focus for the Committee has been on maintaining relationships – with the Minister of Health, the Ministry of Health, the Ethics Committee on Assisted Reproductive Technology, and other ethics committees. In particular, ACART and Toi te Taiao: the Bioethics Council worked together on embryo research, with Toi te Taiao facilitating public dialogue in the lead-up to ACART’s consultation on human reproductive research. ACART has also worked to develop its relationship with Maori, to ensure that its consultation processes are effective for Maori.

The 2006/07 Annual Report of the Ethics Committee on Assisted Reproductive Technology (ECART) is appended to ACART's Annual Report.

Publication availability

Advisory Committee on Assisted Reproductive Technology: Annual Report 2006/07 is available on the ACART website (www.acart.health.govt.nz)

This publication is also available in hard copy. More information can be found on the ACART website via the link above.

Publishing information

Date of publication: October 2007

ISBN: 978-0-478-31228-7 (Print)
ISBN: 978-0-478-31229-0 (Online)

HP4484

Citation: Advisory Committee on Assisted Reproductive Technology. Annual Report 2006–2007: Including the 2006/07 Annual Report of the Ethics Committee on Assisted Reproductive Technology. Wellington: Advisory Committee on Assisted Reproductive Technology.