Background

Establishment Of The Council

The New Zealand Government established Toi te Taiao: the Bioethics Council in December 2002

This followed a recommendation by the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification, to meet public concern that decision-making was not adequately addressing the ethical, cultural and spiritual dimensions of genetic modification and biotechnology. For more information on the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification, see the Commission's final report.

Submissions to the Royal Commission had highlighted the need for high-level advice to Government, with community input, on overarching ethical, cultural and spiritual concerns that could not be easily dealt with on a case-by-case basis and had wider implications for society.

The Royal Commission envisioned the Council to be "an expert and independent body to promote and guide public debate on matters of principle, and to develop guidelines for ERMA and other bodies".

The Government accepted this recommendation and established the Bioethics Council, in December 2002. Read more about the recommendations of the Royal Commission on the Ministry for the Environment's website - Summary of key Government decisions.

Boundaries

As recommended by the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification, the Bioethics Council's work is subject to the following boundaries:

• Not to do the work of an existing agency.
• Not to review, approve or offer opinion on specific proposals.
• Not to make recommendations that are binding.
• Not be a quasi-judicial body.