2000.03EM Regulation of Reproductive and Genetic Technologies
Whereas: Reproductive and genetic technologies have been making enormous scientific advances in recent years, including the work, now nearing completion, of the Human Genome Project on the mapping of the human genetic blueprint; and
Whereas: New scientific discoveries and breakthroughs in these fields have raised and will continue to raise basic ethical and moral questions related to their development and uses, especially for commercial purposes; and
Whereas: If left unregulated this new knowledge could be exploited for profit in the hands of a few; and
Whereas: Patents have already been granted in the United States on a genetically engineered human organism, and as a result of the work on the Human Genome Project, applications for patents on genetically engineered human cells and tissues are expected; and
Whereas: Although there has been a voluntary moratorium in Canada on some technological processes since 1995, this will not continue indefinitely, and in the meantime, there has been little or no government regulation in this rapidly expanding area;
Therefore, be it RESOLVED:
- That the National Council of Women of Canada continue to urge the Government of Canada to set up a national bio-ethics council; and
- That the National Council of Women of Canada urge the Government of Canada to establish a regulatory body for reproductive and genetic technologies which would:
- Set standards of practice and license clinics to carry out procedures,
- Monitor compliance with regulations and standards of quality.
RESOLVED:
That the National Council of Women of Canada urge the Government of Canada to set up a Parliamentary Commission or Task Force to study the use of patents involving human biological material and methods of ensuring that the results of basic research in this field remain in the public domain.