Embryo research set to begin in Australia

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 16 Apr 2004 - 0:00 PDT


Embryo research is set to begin in Australia, the first licences have been granted allowing excess Australian human embryos to be used in research.

Melbourne IVF and Sydney IVF have both been granted licences to use the embryos if they are no longer required for in vitro fertilisation (IVF) procedures and the couples have given their consent.

Both fertility centres plan to use the licences to improve IVF success rates.

In addition, Sydney IVF will also use the embryos to research embryonic metabolism and derive stem cells for medical research.

The National Health and Medical Research Council says the licences were only granted after stringent criteria had been met.

The Federal Government passed legislation allowing the use of embryonic stem cells in medical research in 2002.

There are an estimated 70,000 surplus embryos created through IVF treatment which scientists could access for stem cell research.

The move has already drawn vocal opposition from Independent Tasmanian Senator Brian Harradine.

"They are licences to kill," he said.

"They were given by the NHMRC (National Health and Medical Research Centre) and that, to my mind, sets an unacceptable and profoundly disturbing precedent.

Research will only be conducted on embryos if those who produced the cells give their permission.

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