Artificial conception

Reference received: 5 October 1983

Reports

​​Report 49: Artificial Conception: Human Artificial Insemination (PDF, 438.6 KB), June 1986

Tabled in parliament: 28 May 1987

Public hearing: Human Artificial Insemination Public Hearings (16 April 1985)​ 

Judicial citation: In the Matter of Estate of the Late K; Ex parte the Public Trustee (1996) 5 TasR 365 at 371 ​

Legislative action: None, but see NSW Department of Health, Review of the Human Tissue Act 1983 - Discussion Paper: Assisted Reproductive Technologies (1998)​ ​

 

Report 58: Artificial Conception: In Vitro Fertilization (PDF, 343.0 KB). July 1988

[An Outline of the Report was also published [PDF, 38Kb] (PDF, 39.1 KB)

Tabled in parliament: 10 August 1988

Judicial citation: In the Matter of Estate of the Late K; Ex parte the Public Trustee (1996) 5 TasR 365 at 372​​ ​

Legislative action: ​None, but see NSW Department of Health, Review of the Human Tissue Act 1983 - Discussion Paper: Assisted Reproductive Technologies (1998)

Report 60: Artificial Conception: Surrogate Motherhood (PDF, 187.4 KB), December 1988

Report tabled: 2 March 1989

Legislative action: None, but see NSW Department of Health, Review of the Human Tissue Act 1983 - Discussion Paper: Assisted Reproductive Technologies (1998)​ ​

​Judicial citation: Re P (Adoption: Surrogacy) [1990] NZFLR 385; Re W (Adoption) (1998) 23 FamLR 538

​Research report

​​Research Report 2: Artificial Conception: Surrogate Motherhood: Australian Public Opinion, May 1987​

Discussion papers

​Discussion Paper 11: Artificial Conception: Human Artificial Insemination, November 1984

Discussion Paper 15: Artificial Conception - In Vitro Fertilization, July 1987  

Public hearing: In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Public Hearing (15 April 1988)​​

Discussion Paper 18: Artificial Conception: Surrogate Motherhood, August 1988

Public hearing: ​Surrogate Motherhood Outline for Public Hearing (14 October 1988)

Terms of reference

1. To inquire into and report on the need to make laws on:

(i) Human artificial insemination (AI).

(ii) In vitro fertilization of human ova with human sperm (IVF) and transfer of the resulting embryo to the human uterus (ET).

(iii) Any other procedure whereby human ova may be fertilized otherwise than by sexual intercourse.

(iv) Any other procedure whereby the process of human reproduction may be commenced, continued or completed otherwise than in the body of a human female.

(v) The preservation of human ova, human sperm and human embryo outside the human body.

(vi) "Surrogate mothering" arrangements (arrangements under which a woman agrees to bear a child for another person or persons).

(vii) Any other related matter.   

​2. To include in its report recommendations on the extent and nature of any recommended laws.

3. In making its inquiry and report the Commission may take into account to the extent that it decides is necessary or desirable:

(i) Social, ethical and legal issues related to the subjects described above.

(ii) Any form of artificial conception of a human child that it considers relevant.

(iii) The public interest and the interests of children, parents, infertile couples, and any other relevant person.

(iv) The nature of and issues raised by arrangements and agreements relating to any of the subjects described above, and to any child that may be born as a result.

(v) The legal rights and liabilities of medical and other personnel involved in such practices and other related practices.

(vi) Present laws including laws concerning children, including custody, adoption, inheritance and anti-discrimination, ownership of and dominion over human tissues, and the treatment of human infertility.

(vii) Proposals and activities in relation to the subjects described above under consideration by the Standing Committee of Attorneys General, and by any Committee or other Organisation established in Australia by a State or Territory or by the Commonwealth.