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CANADA: Assisted Human Reproduction Legislation Receives Approval of Senate 2004-10 March 11, 2004 For immediate release OTTAWA - Today the Senate adopted Bill C-6, An Act Respecting Assisted Human Reproduction and Related Research. This Act will ensure that Canada has the most comprehensive legislation in the world regarding assisted human reproduction (AHR). The Senate Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology reviewed the Bill and unanimously passed it on March 3, 2004. Today the Senate has given its final approval for it to become law. This legislation bans human cloning and other unacceptable activities. As well, this legislation will protect the health and safety of Canadians using AHR; and provide a controlled environment in which AHR-related research can be undertaken. The law will also establish the Assisted Human Reproduction Agency of Canada (AHRAC) which will license and monitor regulated procedures and enforce the Act. "We could not have come this far without the cooperation of so many people whose interest and expertise in the area of AHR and related research have helped to make this legislation what it is," said Minister Pettigrew. "In particular, I would like to thank the hard work of the Royal Commission whose report in 1993 was fundamental in arriving at the current legislation; Dr. Patricia Baird and her fellow Commissioners deserve all of our thanks. I would also like to thank my fellow Parliamentarians for their thorough consideration of the Bill in both chambers." Over the coming months, Health Canada will be working with provinces and territories along with various stakeholders, in developing the regulatory framework. The creation of the Agency and the selection of its Board of Directors will occur in a timely and transparent manner. -30- Media Inquiries: Paige Raymond Kovach Health Canada (613) 948-4629 Sébastien Théberge/Adèle Blanchard Office of Minister Pettigrew Minister of Health Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Responsible for Official Languages (613) 957-0200 [log in to unmask] Suzanne Cowan Office of Carolyn Bennett, Minister of State (Public Health) (613) 941-8081 Public Inquiries: (613) 957-2991 Le Sénat approuve la Loi sur la procréation assistée http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/francais/media/communiques/2004/2004_10.htm SOURCE: Health Canada http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/media/releases/2004/2004_10.htm Reference: See the Senate Hansard on the Bill's final passage: http://tinyurl.com/2vsol Progress of Legislation - 3rd Session, 37th Parliament (Bill C-6 An Act respecting assisted human reproduction and related research) http://www.parl.gc.ca/37/3/parlbus/chambus/senate/deb-e/prog-e.htm * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn