2004-04 February 12, 2004 For immediate release OTTAWA -- The Honourable Pierre Pettigrew, Minister of Health, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister responsible for Official Languages, reinstated a proposed Act Respecting Assisted Human Reproduction and Related Research in the House of Commons. This comprehensive legislation would protect the health and safety of Canadians using assisted human reproduction (AHR) to help them build their families; prohibit unacceptable activities such as human cloning; and regulate AHR activities and related research. The Bill would also establish the Assisted Human Reproduction Agency of Canada (AHRAC), which would license and monitor regulated procedures and enforce the Act. "The proposed legislation on AHR is the result of extensive consultations over the past decade and it would fill a legislative void with a thorough and balanced approach," said Minister Pettigrew. "More and more Canadians are turning to AHR to help them build their families and this legislation would provide them with the safeguards they need." Senator Yves Morin, a strong proponent of the proposed legislation, welcomed its reinstatement. "Science and technology in this field are advancing rapidly," he said. "The proposed Act would put in place a comprehensive and integrated system to protect the health and safety of those who are most affected by AHR - the women who use AHR services, and the children who are born as a result." The proposed Act puts Canada in line with measures taken in other major industrialized countries, and draws on best practices and experiences from around the world. This legislation responds to the report of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health, which reviewed the Government of Canada's draft AHR legislation and made a series of recommendations on December 12, 2001. The legislation was introduced in the House of Commons on May 9, 2002, and passed by a vote of 149-109 on October 28, 2003. The Bill was then referred to the Senate. Before Parliament prorogued in November 2003, the Bill had completed Second Reading in the Senate and was referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology for review. The same Bill was reinstated in the House of Commons and will be forwarded to the Senate for its consideration.For additional information see Background Information section. - 30 - Media Inquiries: Paige Raymond Kovach Health Canada (613) 948-4629 Sébastien Théberge Office of Pierre S. Pettigrew Minister of Health Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Responsible for Official Languages (613) 957-0200 Public Inquiries (613) 957-2991
