Reproductive technology and surrogacy reforms a step closer

The course has been set for the development of contemporary legislation to enable more Western Australians to begin a family, reflective of the change in both societal views and technological advancements in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART).

The McGowan Government has approved a detailed response to the 122 recommendations made in Dr Sonia Allan's 2019 Review of the Western Australian Human Reproductive Technology Act 1991 and the Surrogacy Act 2008. The response will be tabled in State Parliament this week.

The review was the most comprehensive undertaken since the WA legislation was enacted and involved extensive consultation with the community and stakeholders.

The WA Donor Conception Register would be maintained and people conceived with the assistance of a donor would have improved access to their biological heritage. Benefits for donor-conceived people include access to further information about their identity and medical history. 

Support services will be made available to assist both donor-conceived people and their biological donor, and further consultation will be carried out regarding the process of information release, taking into consideration issues of confidentiality...