Martin outlines proposals to regulate cloning

The Government remains opposed to human cloning, the Minister for Health, Mr Martin told a conference on assisted human reproduction in Dublin today.

He said the ability of science to intervene in, control or even alter the natural process of the creation of human life "poses fundamental ethical problems for all of us".

Mr Martin was addressing a conference organised by the Commission on Assisted Human Reproduction at Dublin Castle. This body was set up by the Minister in February 2000 and mandated to develop recommendations for Government on issues such as in vitro fertilisation, human embryo and stem cell research and related contentious subjects. It is due to report later this year.

The absence of statutory controls in the area was a source of concern, the Minister said. There are only a set of guidelines issued by the Medical Council, and these are ineffective for non-registered medical professionals.

The Minister said the commission had sought out public opinion on the issue of assisted human reproduction and to date had received 1,600 submissions.

Regulation of the sector could take a number of forms, according to the Minister. Depending on the Commission's recommendations that could mean legislation or new medical ethics rulings, or a combination of both.

Guidelines on the replacement, freezing and subsequent usage and disposal of embryos and the freezing and subsequent disposal of sperm will also be put in place.

The Minister said rules would be set as to who can avail of assisted human reproduction services.

In its report, the commission is also expected to clarify the legal standing of donor programmes, surrogacy, legal parentage, succession rights and the registration of births.

One of the submissions to the Commission, from the Adelaide Hospital Society, called for the establishment of a permanent commission on assisted human reproduction.

This body would have a regulatory function rather than attempting to do it in legislation, the Society suggested.