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At its first meeting last Thursday (January 25), members agreed that the mission of PCRT was to take a multi-disciplinary approach in formulating proposals to ensure the safe and informed practice of reproductive technology in a way which respects human life, the role of the family, the rights of service users and the welfare of children born through reproductive technology.
And this should be done with a view to establishing a statutory council, upon enactment of the relevant legislation, to provide a framework of regulatory legislation, code of practice and public education.
Two working groups have been formed under PCRT to scrutinise the draft bill on reproductive technology and to formulate a code of practice respectively.
"It is the intention of the Health and Welfare Branch to introduce the bill to the Legislative Council later this year, taking into account the recommendations to be made by the PCRT," the spokesman said.
The Executive Council endorsed in September 1994 that the Government should adopt a multi-disciplinary approach in reproductive technology, neither promoting nor completely prohibiting it.
This approach is in line with the recommendations made by the Committee on Scientifically Assisted Human Reproduction (SAHR) appointed by the Secretary for Health and Welfare in 1987.
The public was consulted on the recommendations of the Committee on SAHR in 1993. The consultation exercise indicated a general consensus that the Government should regulate reproductive technology procedures through legislation.
The membership list and terms of reference of PCRT are as follows:
Co-chairpersons
Mi Denis CHANG Khen-lee, QC
Ms Anna WU