November 8, 2004 OTTAWA -- Health Canada launched national consultations today to develop the regulations of the Act Respecting Assisted Human Reproduction and Related Research (AHR Act). The AHR Act, which became law on March 29, 2004, has three main policy objectives: to prohibit unacceptable activities, to protect the health and safety of Canadians who turn to assisted human reproduction procedures to help build their families, and to ensure that research involving the in vitro embryo is undertaken in a controlled environment. "Regulations will be developed to support the Act," said Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh. "Health Canada is undertaking extensive consultations to ensure that interested parties have an opportunity to present their views, concerns and recommendations. The objective is to develop effective regulations that reflect the intent of the Act and the values of Canadians." The first round of consultations, beginning today in Ottawa, involves the development of regulations for Section 8 of the AHR Act, which requires that the written consent of donors be provided for the use of their reproductive material or in vitro embryos. Upcoming rounds of consultations will involve: reimbursement of expenditures to egg and sperm donors and the surrogate mothers (Section 12); the use of in vitro embryos for research (Section 10); clinical and laboratory practices, including clinical trials (Section 10); preimplantation genetic diagnosis (Section 10); the handling of health reporting information that licensed AHR clinics must collect from donors and individuals undergoing AHR procedures (Sections 14-19); requirements for AHR-related counselling (Section 14); administration of licensing, inspection and enforcement activities. The dates for these consultations will be communicated as the process unfolds at Health Canada's Assisted Human Reproduction Website. The consultations will involve health professionals, individuals who have undergone AHR procedures, interested members of the general public and provincial and territorial governments. Health Canada will seek public input in a variety of forms, ranging from workshops and discussion groups to written feedback on consultation documents. Proposed regulations will be published for public comment and reviewed by both Houses of Parliament. The AHR Act is one of the most comprehensive pieces of legislation of its kind in the world and it is expected to take three years to develop all the components of its regulatory framework. The regulations will be administered by a new Assisted Human Reproduction Agency of Canada, which will be separate from Health Canada but will report to the Minister of Health, who is accountable to Parliament for the AHR legislation. -30- Media Inquiries: Paige Raymond Kovach Health Canada (613) 948-4629 Adèle Blanchard Office of the Minister of Health (613) 957-0200 Public Inquiries: (613) 957-2991
