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Australian Health Ethics Committee Professor Colin Thomson address to International Dialogue on Ethics European Commission Bureau of European Policy Advisers Brussels 19 February 2009
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Australian Health Ethics Committee

Professor Colin Thomsonaddress to

International Dialogue on EthicsEuropean Commission

Bureau of European Policy AdvisersBrussels

19 February 2009

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Establishment

• Created by Commonwealth legislation:

National Health and Medical Research Council Act 1992, s.35

• A principal committee of the National Health and Medical Research Council

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National Health and Medical Research Council: principal committees

Chief Executive Officer

Council

Research Commit

tee

Australian Health Ethics

Committee

Public Health Committ

ee

Human Genetics Advisory

Committee

Embryo Research Licensing

Committee

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Statutory functions

a. to advise the Council on ethical issues relating to health;

b. to develop and give the Council human research guidelines;

c. any other functions conferred • by the Minister after consulting the CEO;• by the Act, the regulations or any other law.

On Committee re-appointment every three years, Minister confers additional functions

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Additional functions (current)

1. develop and give the Council guidelines for the conduct of health research involving humans, additional to those required for function (b);

2. promote ethical conduct in health and medical research involving humans;

3. support and facilitate the work of institutions and of human research ethics committees in the oversight of health and medical research;

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Additional functions (current)

4. foster community debate, and consult with relevant stakeholders on ethical issues in health, and health and medical research;

5. provide advice to Council on ethical issues in health research and medical research;

6. monitor international developments in ethical issues relating to health and health and medical research involving humans, and liaise with relevant international organizations and individuals.

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MembershipChair – (member of Council & not member of Research Committee)Persons with: • knowledge of the ethics of medical research;• expertise in law;• expertise in philosophy;• expertise in religion;• experience in medical research;• experience in public health research;• experience in social science research;• experience in clinical medical practice;• experience in nursing or allied health practices;• knowledge of the regulation of the medical profession;

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Membership (continued)

• understanding of health consumer issues;• understanding of the concerns of people with a

disability; and• no more than 2 other persons with expertise relevant

to the functions of the Committee.

Membership to include membership of all other principal committees

Before appointing new members, Minister required to consult appropriately

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Recent completed work

• National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research 2007 (revision)

• Challenging Ethical Issues in Contemporary Research in Human Beings

• Ethical guidelines on the use of assisted reproductive technology in clinical practice and research (revision)

• Ethical Guidelines for the Care of People in Post-Coma Unresponsiveness (Vegetative State) or a Minimally Responsive State

• A Guide for Families and Carers of People with Profound Brain Damage

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Recent completed work

• Organ and Tissue Donation After Death, For Transplantation: Guidelines for Ethical Practice for Health Professionals

• Making A Decision About Organ and Tissue Donation After death

• Organ and Tissue Donation by Living Donors: Guidelines for Ethical practice for Health Professionals

• Making A Decision About Living Organ and Tissue Donation

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Thank you