Ethics Committee on Assisted Reproductive Technology

Functions of ECART

• To consider and determine applications for assisted reproductive procedures¹ or human reproductive research².
• To keep under review any approvals previously given, including those applications approved prior to the existence of ECART, and, without limitation, to monitor the progress of any assisted reproductive procedures performed or any human reproductive research conducted under current approvals.
• To liaise with the Advisory Committee on Assisted Reproductive Technology (ACART) on matters relating to assisted reproductive procedures and human reproductive research and, to forward to the advisory committee reports received under section 19(5) of the HART Act together with any comments or requests for advice that ECART considers appropriate.
• To consult with any persons who, in the opinion of the committee, are able to assist it perform its functions.
• Any other functions that the Minister of Health assigns to the committee by written notice.

• The health and well-being of children born as a result of the performance of an assisted reproductive procedure or an established procedure should be an important consideration in all decisions about that procedure.
• The human health, safety, and dignity of present and future generations should be preserved and promoted.
• While all persons are affected by assisted reproductive procedures and established procedures, women, more than men, are directly and significantly affected by their application and the health and well-being of women must be protected in the use of these procedures.
• No assisted reproductive procedure should be performed on an individual and no human reproductive research should be conducted on an individual unless the individual has made an informed choice and given informed consent.
• Donor offspring should be made aware of their genetic origins and be able to access information about those origins.
• The needs, values, and beliefs of Māori should be considered and treated with respect.
• The different ethical, spiritual, and cultural perspectives in society should be considered and treated with respect.

• means a procedure performed for the purpose of assisting human reproduction that involves:
  • the creation of an in vitro human embryo; or
  • the storage, manipulation, or use of an in vitro human gamete or an in vitro human embryo; or
  • the use of cells derived from an in vitro human embryo; or
  • the implantation into a human being of human gametes or human embryos; but
• does not include an established procedure.