Human embryos & cloning
This section of the site contains a comprehensive range of topics relevant to research involving human embryos and the prohibition of human cloning.
Changes to legislation governing the use of human embryos in research came into effect on 12 June 2007. The NHMRC's human embryos and cloning webpages have been updated to reflect these changes.
Stem Cells and Cloning UpdateThe Prohibition of Human Cloning for Reproduction and the Regulation of Human Embryo Research Amendment Act 2006 came into operation on 12 June 2007. As a result the NHMRC has revised a number of guidelines and related materials, and changed administrative, processing, and monitoring and compliance activities surrounding the licensing of research involving human embryos. Policy and GuidanceThe Commonwealth, and States and Territories have introduced nationally consistent legislation to ban human cloning and other unacceptable practices and to regulate research involving excess ART embryos. The Licensing Committee has issued advice to guide Licence applicants. Licensing & ComplianceThe NHMRC assesses applications for licences to use human excess ART embryos for research. NHMRC inspectors are appointed to monitor licence holder activities and ensure prohibited practices under the Prohibition of Human Cloning for Reproduction Act 2002 are not being conducted in Australia. FAQsThis section addresses general and specific questions related to the regulation of research involving human embryos and cloning and other prohibited practices. |
Stem cells, cloning and related issuesA primer on stem cells, the regulation of human embryo research and the prohibition of human cloning for reproduction in Australia. NHMRC Embryo Research Licensing CommitteeThe NHMRC Embryo Research Licensing Committee, established by the Research Involving Human Embryos Act 2002, oversees the national regulatory system prescribed by the Research Involving Human Embryos Act 2002 and the Prohibition of Human Cloning for Reproduction Act 2002. Publications and ReportsThe NHMRC Licensing Committee provides biannual reports to the Commonwealth Parliament on or before 30 June and 31 December each year, and at any other time as required by Parliament. The reports include information about both the operation of the Research Involving Human Embryos Act 2002 and licences issued under the Act. Legislative review The Legislation Review Committee has completed its terms of reference by independently reviewing the legislation relating to human cloning and research involving human embryos. |