Australia's House of Representatives start debate on cloning bill

The Australian House of Representatives has begun debating proposed legislation that will allow scientists to clone embryos for stem cell research. The Prohibition of Human Cloning for Reproduction and the Regulation of Human Embryo Research Amendment Bill 2006, introduced by Liberal Senator Kay Patterson, was narrowly passed by the Senate on 7 November by 34 votes to 32.

The legislation was introduced in to the House of Representatives last Thursday and a conscience vote on the issue is expected to be held after the debate concludes later this week. The debate is being characterised by a battle between scientific progress and the potential for medical benefits against flawed scientific promises and the protection of the life of the embryo. Supporters argue that extending the current law, which only allows embryonic stem cell (ES cell) research using 'spare' embryos following IVF, to allow for embryos to be cloned (therapeutic cloning), will increase the potential for medical breakthroughs and ensure Australian stem cell scientists can compete against world leaders - such as the UK.

Victorian MP Russell Broadbent, commented that 'there is the promise of a fundamental change in the course of history by providing cell replacement therapies for many debilitating and life threatening diseases.' However, opponents, such as Independent MP Peter Andren, say that destroying embryos is ethically wrong and accuses supporters of placing blind faith in scientists. 'In rejecting this bill, I urge us all to follow the only ethical path, that of adult stem cell research,' he said. The Australia Catholic Church once again spoke out against the bill calling for the lower house to reject the amendment. The Church supports adult stem cell research but opposes therapeutic cloning which results in the destruction of the embryo. Therapeutic cloning leads to the 'manufacture of embryos whose mother is an aborted girl fetus,' said Cardinal George Pell.

Current law governing ES cell research in Australia is contained in the Research Involving Human Embryos Act and the Prohibition of Human Cloning Act, both of which were passed in 2002 after much debate. The two acts together ban reproductive cloning, prevent scientists from cloning embryos to obtain stem cells and restrict them to research on surplus IVF embryos created before the acts were passed, and donated by IVF patients who no longer require them. The Prohibition of Human Cloning for Reproduction and the Regulation of Human Embryo Research Amendment Bill 2006 also bans human reproductive cloning but permits scientists to clone embryos for use in stem cell research. A last minute amendment to the bill banning the creation of chimeras- human and animal hybrid embryos - was accepted by supporters in the Senate.

In light of the narrow victory in the Senate, supporters of the bill indicate that their position is precarious. They fear that if the bill is passed back to the Senate it would be defeated in a second vote, meaning they will be unlikely to accepted amendments proposed in the lower house. Liberal MP, Mal Washer, said that 'if it went back we'd lose'. If the House of Representatives approve the bill then it will become law.