HEAL Committee Report

            In May of this year, the Honourable Allan Rock tabled draft legislation on assisted human reproduction in the House of Commons and invited the Standing Committee on Health to "reflect on this draft legislation and to lead a non-partisan dialogue with Canadians on this very important subject." This report represents the Committee’s response to that request.

            The Committee has attempted to balance its mandate to conduct a consultation with Canadians with the urgent need for legislation consistent with Canadian values. Attempts to address this need over a period of more than ten years have been carefully studied, expert advisers have been diligently consulted, the structure and responsibilities of international regulatory bodies have been considered, representatives of interested groups have been heard, and a large volume of written submissions have been reviewed.

            The Committee is convinced that a sound approach to the regulation of reproductive technologies must treat as its first concern the well-being of the resulting children. The health and safety of adults, particularly women who submit to assisted reproductive procedures, must be effectively safeguarded. The potential benefits of research must always take second place to these priorities.

            This said, the Committee is conscious of the potential for some of the new technologies to contribute to the alleviation of human suffering. It has attempted to establish a framework within which related medical research can pursue this goal, while respecting the deep desire communicated to the Committee by many Canadians that human embryos and other "reproductive materials" be accorded the respect and dignity which is their due.

            This report results from the collaboration of a dedicated team of researchers, Nancy Miller Chenier, Sonya Norris, Monique Hébert, and François Côté. Our clerk, Gary Sokolyk, and the Committee editors, interpreters, console operators and others are also deserving of our thanks.