Regulations

Regulations are subsidiary legislation developed to ensure the effective implementation of an Act.   The Reproductive Technology (Code of Ethical Clinical Practice) Regulations 1995 and the Reproductive Technology (Code of Ethical Research Practice) Regulations 1995 were developed by the SACRT over the period from 1988 to 1995. 

In December 2003, the Reproductive Technology (Code of Ethical Research Practice) was revoked because it has been replaced by the national legislative scheme regulating embryo research.  However SACRT is still required to monitor all research conducted in South Australia that uses embryos or gametes, whether for research into infertility or other areas, and to include their findings in future Annual Reports.

Amendments were made to the Reproductive Technology (Code of Ethical Clinical Practice) Regulations to ensure consistency by reflecting changes to the Act as a result of the new Federal and State laws.

The Code of Ethical Clinical Practice

As the name suggests, the Code of Ethical Clinical Practice sets out the conditions under which reproductive technology clinics must operate.

These regulations clearly outline practices that are prohibited in South Australia, eligibility criteria for people to receive infertility treatment, the process to be used to ensure consent is given at all stages and recording and reporting requirements of clinics.

The following are considered to be illegal practices in South Australia (as defined in the code):

• embryo flushing;

• culturing or maintaining embryos outside the body;

• transferring more than three embryos or ova within one cycle;

• mixing gametes or embryos from different sources;

• using donor gametes in certain instances;

• using gametes of close family members of recipients;

• using embryos in research;

• giving value for gamete donation.

The updated version of the Reproductive Technology (Code of Ethical Clinical Practice) Regulations 1995 is available for online viewing via the Parliament of SA site.

As well as regulations, the Council has written two standards to assist clinics:

Consent Forms Standard

Information Statements Standard

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