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