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Issues in SA
Notes for students and other interested people are prepared on topics raised in the media and the Quarterly Bulletin. These are provided as they are prepared. It is expected that other issues will arise in the future and that further notes will be prepared and made available.
AGE AND ELIGIBILITY REPORTThe birth of triplets to a 53-year-old woman in 1998 created much community and media attention. Questions were asked about eligibility for reproductive technology treatment and the appropriate use of resources. The current definition of infertility and eligibility for treatment (Memorandum 1, February 1997, reissued May 1998) does not mention age as a consideration. Previous advice from the Equal Opportunity Commissioner (11 September 1996) advised that it was possible to set an age limit on some assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatments but this could be open to challenge through the courts.
A Working Party was formed to discuss the above issue and this report to Council was a result of their deliberations.
CONCEPTION BY DONATION
In 1998 the South Australian Council on Reproductive Technology conducted a public forum and in April 2000 released a public discussion paper on donor conception issues which called for submissions from the public.
The main issue is that of access to information on biological origins. Responses to the paper supported providing such access, but compulsory retrospective release of identifying information on donors was less generally supported. Victoria amended its legislation to provide a donor conception register in 1999.
During 2001 the Council prepared recommendations for the establishment of a Donor Conception Register for SA covering: access to identifying information; non-compulsory retrospective release of identifying information; a voluntary register for existing and future children born from donors who donated prior to proposed legislative changes; regular contact with past donors; and a compulsory central register for future donors. It is anticipated that this will be considered during 2002.
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HealthySA |
URL: http://www.dh.sa.gov.au/reproductive-technology/issuesinsa.asp Disclaimer | Copyright © Government of South Australia 2007 2009
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