11 November 2004

UF gets it wrong: Green amendment bans human GE

Green MP Sue Kedgley is mystified by United Future's attack on the Green Party over its vote for the just-passed Human Assisted Reproductive Technology Bill.

"If United Future were so opposed to the Bill, they could start by asking themselves why two members of their own caucus voted for it, along with members from all other parties in the House," said Ms Kedgley, the Green Party's Health Spokesperson.

"Far from supporting laws that permit the genetic engineering of humans, the Greens in fact put forward and ensured the passing of an amendment to the HART Bill that specifically prohibited the genetic engineering of humans.

"That's the only reason we supported the Bill - because it prohibited the worst excesses of assisted human reproduction such as cloning, the genetic engineering of humans and sex selection for social reasons.

Ms Kedgley said the legislation, while weak and permissive, was better than no legislation.

"If the legislation hadn't passed scientists WOULD have been able to genetically engineer humans, because previously we had a totally uncontrolled, free market situation without any restrictions. At least this Bill provides some prohibition against unethical research," said Ms Kedgley.

ENDS

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