Informed Consent and Assisted Reproductive Technology: Proposed advice to the Minister of Health: Consultation document

The consultation has now closed.

ACART has prepared this consultation document as part of the process of advising the Minister and welcomes feedback on the proposed advice.

One of the principles of the Human Assisted Reproductive Technology Act 2004 is that individuals should make informed choices and give informed consent when involved in fertility treatment. Informed consent and decision-making can be complex, and in ART it often involves consent by multiple parties – for instance, embryo donation may involve two donors and two recipients. The interests of children who may be born from the use of gametes and embryos must also be taken into consideration. Questions arise as to who may consent, who may withdraw or vary consent to, how to balance those interests, and what should be the period of time within which parties have a say. Most of ACART’s proposed recommendations in this document are concerned with confirming current practice rather than proposing substantial change in the ART regulatory framework.

Thank you in advance for contributing to this important area.

Submissions

Submissions from this consultation can be downloaded from ACART's website:

• Submissions received from ACART's consultation