Embryo Research Licensing Committee

These Acts establish a regulatory framework to prohibit certain practices, such as human cloning, and regulate the uses of excess assisted reproductive technology (ART) embryos, the creation or uses of other human embryos created through processes other than fertilisation and the practice of permitted mitochondrial donation techniques in Australia. There are strong penalties for non-compliance with the legislation.

Functions

The NHMRC Licensing Committee has prescribed functions under the national regulatory framework established by the RIHE Act and the PHCR Act, to:

• assess and determine applications for general and mitochondrial donation licences to conduct research involving human embryos
• issue (subject to conditions) or not issue such licences
• monitor licensed activities to ensure compliance with the legislation and take enforcement action as necessary
• maintain an accessible database containing information about licences issued
• report to the Parliament of Australia on the functions of ERLC, the operation of the RIHE Act and the licences issued under this Act
• perform such other functions as are conferred on it by the RIHE Act or any other law.

Membership

The expertise of each ERLC member is prescribed in the RIHE Act. The committee includes individuals with expertise in research ethics, research, assisted reproductive technology, law, consumer health issues, the regulation of assisted reproductive technology, and embryology. It also includes a cross-member with the Australian Health Ethics Committee.

Members of Embryo Research Licensing Committee

• Members of ERLC 2024–2027 triennium
• Members of ERLC 2021–2024 triennium
• Members of ERLC 2018–2021 triennium
• Members of ERLC 2015–2018 triennium