HUMAN REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY ACT 1991 - SECT 18

HUMAN REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY ACT 1991 - SECT 18

18 .         Matters which may be dealt with in Code

        (1)         The Code may make provision, and may impose conditions or prohibitions, in relation to the following matters —

            (a)         ovarian stimulation undertaken by a licensee; and

            (b)         artificial fertilisation procedures likely to lead to multiple pregnancies; and

            (ca)         an artificial fertilisation procedure for implementing a surrogacy arrangement as defined in the Surrogacy Act 2008 section 3; and

            (c)         the treatment of any human gametes intended for use in an artificial fertilisation procedure; and

            (d)         the circumstances in which, the periods and purposes for which, and the methods by which, a human embryo may be kept and maintained outside a human body, or human gametes, a human egg undergoing fertilisation or a human embryo may be stored; and

            (e)         any treatment or other services to which this Act applies that may be provided by licensees; and

            (f)         the donation, use, supply, export from the State, posthumous use, or other dealing in or disposal of, human gametes, human eggs undergoing fertilisation or human embryos by licensees; and

            (g)         the privacy of patients, and the conduct of authorised officers, during the carrying out of any inspection or investigation; and

            (h)         the giving or withdrawal of recognition to Institutional Ethics Committees by the Council for the purposes of this Act.

        (2)         Subject to the requirements of this Part, the regulations or the Code may —

            (a)         establish criteria as to the consent required of participants in prescribed circumstances, as to the qualifications of counsellors and the adequacy of the services provided for counselling, and as to the particular circumstances when counselling should be offered, ensuring that any question as to a consent required or given is decided on a basis of adequate and relevant information, as regards —

                  (i)         procedures of different kinds; and

                  (ii)         the outcome of procedures, with particular reference to the control, possession and disposal of human gametes, a human egg undergoing fertilisation or a human embryo; and

                  (iii)         the type and quality of the treatment or other services, or of any assistance, provided or to be provided, or not likely to be provided,

                and as to the nature and extent of the information to be supplied; and

            (b)         provide for —

                  (i)         the obtaining and recording of an effective consent on the part of particular participants; and

                  (ii)         the effect of any consent given.

        [Section 18 amended: No. 17 of 2004 s. 13; No. 47 of 2008 s. 66.]