International Federation of Fertility Societies' Surveillance (IFFS) 2019: Global Trends in Reproductive Policy and Practice, 8th Edition

The triennial Surveillance project, initiated in 1998 by Drs. Howard Jones, Jr and Jean Cohen, continues to evolve, now with a new name, the International Federation of Fertility Societies’ Surveillance (IFFS) 2019: Global Trends in Reproductive Policy and Practice, 8th Edition. The new name more accurately reflects the scope and focus of the project, and makes the report more accessible to a global audience, particularly those seeking this information online. IFFS is a non-state actor (NSA) in official relations with the World Health Organization (WHO), and the publication of Surveillance serves as part of the IFFS’ WHO mandate. The 2019 version has several major changes. Some chapters have been expanded, and some topics have been combined to eliminate redundancies. The number of chapters has been reduced from 24 to 18, but all previous topics and questions have been retained. The 2018 online questionnaire was the sole source of data for IFFS Surveillance 2019: Global Trends in Reproductive Policy and Practice, 8th Edition. The online questionnaire was further refined, and was again administered by Medtech for Solutions®. The refined questionnaire consisted of 94 questions, in English, with translated versions available. On average, it took 90 minutes (cumulative on-site time) to complete. The survey was accessible online from February 1 through March 31, 2018. Although a few responses were accepted shortly after the deadline, they reflect the practices of assisted reproductive technology (ART) (also called assisted reproductive treatment) through that time. Respondents representing 97 countries (22 more than in 2015) registered online at the website, and all provided at least some responses to the 2018 questionnaire, enough to be included in the analysis

Public health law and public health policy

Public health law and public health policy are fundamental tools that assist states in the task of protecting people from threats to health, preventing disease, and striving for healthy populations. This paper examines their respective and joint roles in influencing health outcomes. It considers definitions and theories of ‘public health law’ and ‘public health policy’, explores the relationship between law and policy, and provides examples of public health law and policy as dual mechanisms for public health. The limits and bounds of the law as a public health tool are also discussed highlighting where policy may be more effective in achieving particular aims. Supranational and international public health law and policy is also considered, emphasizing the importance of laws and policies that transcend national domains. The important roles of bodies beyond government, including inter-governmental organizations, business, and civil society, are noted, recognizing all may influence and effect law, policy, and practice, and in turn, public health

Research on human embryos, stem cells and cloning : one year since the passing of Australian Federal Legislation : Australia, around the world, and back again

Two advances in biotechnology – cloning and stem cell technologies - have changed the world in terms of attitudes towards what we think is scientifically possible, and arguments about how far we think science and medicine should go. With such advances, came the reminder that science and technology do not stand still and that advances in such areas often move faster than the legal world can keep pace. This paper aims to consider the scientific and legal positions of Australia one year after the passing of Federal legislation on research on human embryos, and cloning

Donor Conception and the Search for Information: From Secrecy and Anonymity to Openness

The book examines donor conception and the search for information by donor-conceived people. It details differing regulatory approaches across the globe, including those that provide for ‘open-identity’ or anonymous donation, or that take a ‘dual-track’ approach. In doing so, it identifies models regarding the recording and release of information about donors that may assist in the further development of the law, policy and associated practices. Arguments for and against donor anonymity are considered, and specifically critiqued. The study highlights contrasting reasoning and emphasis upon various interests and factors that may underpin secrecy, anonymity or openness. The book will be of value to academics, students and legal practitioners involved with this area. It is also relevant to policy makers, health practitioners and anyone with an interest in the subject

Assisted reproduction : emerging technologies, ethics, regulation and practice

Assisted reproductive technology (ART) generally involves the application of laboratory or clinical technology to gametes (human egg or sperm) and/or embryos for the purposes of reproduction to assist people to have children. ART often includes a woman taking fertility medication to increase the likelihood of falling pregnant and may include techniques such as artificial insemination (AI), in vitro fertilisation (IVF), gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT), zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT), and intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Donor sperm, eggs or embryos may be used in some circumstances. In addition, ART may in certain circumstances utilise increased understanding of human genetics in the application of pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) to select particular embryos for implantation. More recently emerging research and technology has led to children being born as a result of ‘three person’ IVF to avoid mitochondrial disease, and discussion that ART may involve a future in which genome editing may be possible. Such technologies, once only imagined, are ever increasing. While providing positive outcomes for some in assisting them to have children, they challenge society and push boundaries in a number of ways. There may be medical risks and implications for people undergoing treatment and for the children born as a result. There are also significant ethical, social and legal issues raised. Questions concerning not only where to draw the line between what should be permitted or prohibited, but also how best to govern the practice are continually raised. This chapter focuses upon a number of such issues, and outlines relevant law, guidelines, and self-regulatory mechanisms that all serve to govern ART in Australia and its respective states and territories. While it is not possible to cover all issues raised within the field of ART, the discussion aims to highlight the complexity of some such issues, and the role of effective governance in enabling ART to proceed while establishing the bounds within which society has said it may. It also highlights the need for flexibility in regulation in order to be able to respond to rapidly changing science that brings great hope while also posing new challenges into the future

Same-sex relationships in Australia

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FactCheck : is Australia legally obliged to look after children abandoned after commercial surrogacy?

Details of a 2012 case of an Australian couple who were delivered a set of twins, a boy and girl, via a commercial surrogacy arrangement in New Delhi, continue to be revealed, most recently by this week’s episode of Foreign Correspondent. Shortly after the birth the couple told Australian High Commission staff in New Delhi they would be adopting out the boy, and returning to Australia with the girl. Citizenship and a passport were subsequently granted for the girl. However, controversy remains regarding who adopted the boy, and whether money changed hands. Should the police be involved and does Australia have obligations to track down the boy and ensure his welfare

Public health law

To achieve public health, an armoury of tools is necessary. Education, economics, politics, human rights, advocacy, medical practice, social practices, culture, demography, and more all come into play. So too does the law—a tool that has long been recognized as ‘making public health possible’. The role of the law in achieving public health is the focus of this chapter. The mechanisms by which the law may contribute to public health are noted and its scope discussed. Tensions that arise in defining the field of ‘public health law’ and its proper scope are noted. Present and future directions of public health law in a globalised world are then examined with the aim of highlighting the evolving nature and understanding of the law and its essential role in achieving public health as population health issues and challenges themselves also change and evolve

Report on the Review of the Assisted Reproductive Treatment Act 1988 (SA)

The review will evaluate the operation and effectiveness of significant changes made to the Act in 2010, which had a legislative requirement for review after five years. The changes included: 1. the replacement of the previous licensing scheme with a registration scheme for clinics providing assisted reproductive treatment (A.R.T.); 2. the dissolution of the SA Council on Reproductive Technology and its Code of Ethical Conduct; 3. the requirement that the welfare of any child born as a consequence of A.R.T. is to be treated as being of paramount importance, and accepted as a fundamental principle, in respect of the operation of the Act, as well as in the provision of A.R.T.; 4. allowing for the establishment of a donor conception register; 5. amending eligibility for access to A.R.T. services—noting that such conditions relate to the circumstances in which, and to whom, A.R.T. may be provided; and 6. provisions regarding record keeping and confidentiality

The Review of the Western Australian Human Reproductive Technology Act 1991 and the Surrogacy Act 2008 (Report: Part 1)

The Review of the Western Australian Human Reproductive Technology Act 1991 and the Surrogacy Act 2008 was undertaken by independent reviewer Associate Professor Sonia Allan and makes 122 recommendations. The two-part report is the most comprehensive review of WA’s surrogacy and HRT regulations since the original legislation was enacted. Part one of the Review focuses on the Human Reproductive Technology (HRT) Act and part two on the Surrogacy Act. The Review involved extensive stakeholder consultation through four public forums, seven parliamentary briefings, numerous individual face-to-face briefings and the acceptance of 126 written submissions