HUMAN REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY ACT 1991 - SECT 4
HUMAN REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY ACT 1991 - SECT 4
4 . Objects of this Act
(1) Generally, the
objects of this Act are —
(a) to
regulate, and to provide guidance in, the use of reproductive technology by
—
(i)
the establishment of the Council, with the functions
referred to in section 14; and
(ii)
the compilation and implementation of a Code of Practice;
and
(iii)
the imposition of licensing requirements; and
(iv)
the enforcement of this Act;
and
(b) to
ensure adherence to standards in the practice of reproductive technology that
are proper and suitable; and
(c) to
allow beneficial developments in reproductive technology, but to discourage,
and if required to prohibit, developments or procedures that are not both
proper and suitable; and
(d) to
ensure —
(i)
that artificial fertilisation procedures may only be
carried out for the benefit of persons who, in accordance with this Act, are
eligible to be so treated; and
(ii)
that the participants are adequately assessed medically
as to the need for any procedure, and counselled and informed as to its
implications; and
(iii)
that the welfare of participants is properly promoted;
and
(iv)
that the prospective welfare of any child to be born
consequent upon a procedure to which this Act relates is properly taken into
consideration;
and
(e) to
require that equity, welfare and general standards prevailing in the community
are taken into account in the practice of reproductive technology; and
(f) to
provide a forum whereby —
(i)
debate by the community on reproductive technology issues
may be conducted; and
(ii)
proper standards to evaluate and monitor reproductive
technology can be determined, established and maintained; and
(iii)
policy decisions may be made about reproductive
technology,
on an informed basis.
(1a) The particular
objects of Part 4A are set out in section 53A.
(2) The particular
objects of Part 4B are set out in section 53S.
[Section 4 amended: No. 17 of 2004 s. 7; No. 18 of
2004 s. 5.]