The State Government says it is accepting the advice of an expert panel on steps to better regulate Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART).
It now plans to introduce laws to improve access to ART while giving better oversight of human embryo research and continuing the ban on cloning for human reproduction
The panel, appointed by the Minister for Health, Amber-Jade Sanderson and chaired by Western Australian infertility treatment expert, Roger Hart, was charged with helping shape a new ART policy following Sonia Allan’s 2019 review of the Western Australian Human Reproductive Technology Act 1991 and Surrogacy Act 2008.
The expert panel recommended that two new pieces of legislation be developed.
One is to address matters related to ART procedures and treatments, and the second to focus on human embryo research under strict national licensing and regulations.
Ms Sanderson said fertility challenges were common, with one-in-six couples experiencing difficulties conceiving.
“The proposed new ART legislation will expand eligibility for altruistic surrogacy to enable people in same-sex relationships, including single men, transgender and intersex people, to access surrogacy and permit reciprocal in vitro fertilisation,” Ms Sanderson said.
“It is intended that the process for surrogacy in WA will also be streamlined.”
She said there would be changes to processes regulating licensed ART providers in WA and expanded options for genetic testing of embryos and posthumous use of gametes, reproductive tissue, and embryos.
“The proposed legislation will also allow donor-conceived people to access information about their social and genetic heritage, regardless of when they were born, where records are available,” the Minister for Health said.
“This important reform will give donor-conceived people a better sense of identity and knowledge about their genetic heritage. This can be critical for medical treatments and family planning,” she said.
