Hearing community voices: public engagement in Australian human embryo research policy, 2005–2007
- 1 September 2008
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Informa UK Limited in New Genetics and Society
- Vol. 27 (3), 217-232
- https://doi.org/10.1080/14636770802326901
Abstract
This paper investigates the recent public policy processes in Australia with regard to embryo research, including the work of the legislative review committee, parliamentary debates, and the production of the National Health and Medical Research Council guidelines for embryo research. We examine various mechanisms used during each of these policymaking stages to engage various publics, and the procedures for balancing conflicting values, which were particularly evident given the strong promotion of biotechnology investment by government side by side with vigorous opposition to certain technologies by segments of the Australian community. We explore the ethical and democratic challenges posed by developments in embryo research as well as various difficulties that arose in engaging the Australian public during these policymaking processes, whether these might prove to be impediments to the development of justifiable and legitimate life sciences research policy in Australia, and what the future prospects are for adequate public engagement in these contentious areas.Keywords
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