Content
Human embryos & cloning
Stem cells and cloning update
The Prohibition of Human Cloning for Reproduction and the Regulation of Human Embryo Research Amendment Act 2006 came into operation on 12 June 2007. As a result the NHMRC has revised a number of guidelines and related materials, and changed administrative, processing, and monitoring and compliance activities surrounding the licensing of research involving human embryos.
Policy and guidance
The Commonwealth, and States and Territories have introduced nationally consistent legislation to ban human cloning and other unacceptable practices and to regulate research involving excess ART embryos. The Licensing Committee has issued advice to guide Licence applicants.
Licensing and compliance
The NHMRC assesses applications for licences to use human excess ART embryos for research. NHMRC inspectors are appointed to monitor licence holder activities and ensure prohibited practices under the Prohibition of Human Cloning for Reproduction Act 2002 are not being conducted in Australia.
FAQs
Answers to questions about the regulation of research involving human embryos, and cloning and other prohibited practices.
Stem cells, cloning and related issues
An overview of stem cells, the regulation of human embryo research and the prohibition of human cloning for reproduction in Australia.
NHMRC Embryo Research Licensing Committee
The NHMRC Embryo Research Licensing Committee, established by the Research Involving Human Embryos Act 2002, oversees the national regulatory system prescribed by the Research Involving Human Embryos Act 2002 and the Prohibition of Human Cloning for Reproduction Act 2002.
Publications and Reports
The NHMRC Licensing Committee provides biannual reports to the Commonwealth Parliament on or before 30 June and 31 December each year, and at any other time as required by Parliament. The reports include information about both the operation of the Research Involving Human Embryos Act 2002 and licences issued under the Act.
Legislative review
The Legislation Review Committee has completed its terms of reference by independently reviewing the legislation relating to human cloning and research involving human embryos.