Toi Te Taiao: The Bioethics Council meeting minutes - 17 April 2008

Held at the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club, Wellington

 Present:

• Martin Wilkinson (Chair)
• Helen Bichan
• Waiora Port
• Mark Fisher
• Huia Tomlins-Jahnke
• Marie Bismark
• Tahu Potiki
• Brett Stephenson
• John Pennington
• Cordelia Thomas
• Simon Wright
• Moana Durie Sinclair
• Rosemary du Plessis (from 3.55 p.m.)
• Margot Schwass (report writer) for agenda item 6
• Angela Sheehan (Minutes)

The meeting commenced at 9.30 a.m.

1. Karakia and Welcome

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting, and Waiora led the karakia.

2. Apologies

Apologies were received from Rosemary du Plessis and Peggy Fairbairn Dunlop.

3. Minutes from Last Council Meeting

That the minutes of the meeting held on 11 February 2008 be accepted as a true and correct record, and be placed on the website.

Waiora / Tahu - CARRIED

4. Matters Arising from Minutes

The Action List was reviewed, and the following noted in particular:

• Conflicts of Interest Register to be included as a permanent item on the agenda – Form to be completed by Council members was attached to the papers. A list of members’ conflicts to be included in papers to be updated at meetings. (This item to be discussed at the end of meeting as new item 13.)

Action: Secretariat

Conflicts of Interest Register

          No new interests declared.

5. Chair’s Report

The Chair reported as follows:

• He had met the Associate Minister, Hon. Nanaia Mahuta, and she wanted to continue meeting regularly. Their discussions had covered:
  • She suggested that the BEC seek a meeting of the Ad Hoc Ministers’ group before the launch of the Pre-Birth Testing Report.
  • She suggested that the BEC look at the CES issues regarding commercialisation of research and customary knowledge including the effect of the patent system.
  • The number of Council members.
  • Appointments
  • Budget issues
• He had met Acting Chief Executive of the Minister.
• He had been advised that the Associate Minister of Health Hon Steve Chadwick had been delegated responsibility for reproductive matters.
• The Chair was continuing engagement with politicians on all sides by meeting Hon. Dr Nick Smith, Opposition spokesman, today. He was also seeking to meet with Moana Mackie MP, and the Chief Executive of the Royal Society. It was suggested that it was also worth meeting Hon. Tony Ryall.

6.  Pre-Birth Testing – Discussion on Report

The Chair introduced the discussion on the Pre-Birth Testing Report “Who Gets Born?”. He said that today’s discussion would focus on the report’s recommendations, and the reasons for them.

He invited report writer Margot Schwass to address the Council on the report in general.

Taking into account the very rich data obtained from the deliberative events and its own discussions, Council considered the recommendations section of the report. The working group was about to meet and it would incorporate the Council’s views into the final report.

Maori Working Group

The group reported that it was still working to finalise its section.
MWG was still working on the chapter to include both the fundamental Maori world view about the sanctity of human life and issues like tapu and Maori and whakapapa, as well as the reality of the contemporary Maori dialogue.

Action: MWG to continue work on document.

Action/Timeline:

• Pre-Birth Testing Group and MWG to continue their work and produce another iteration.
• Next draft to be sent out in hard copy and also electronically.
• Members who wanted to suggest changes should use bullet points, not track changes.
• Completed report needed at Secretariat by mid May.
• Council to agree on the final draft by e-mail.
• Delivery of report in mid June.

On behalf of BEC, the Chair thanked the working group and Rosemary for their hard work.

7. 2008-09 Work Programme

The Council discussed proposals for the 2008-2009 Work Programme.

Ethical Responsibilities in Human Uses of Fresh Water

•  Secretariat was asked to explore what, if any, biotechnology links (including nanotechnology) there are to water - if there are, to explain those; and to think about potential relationships with other partners.

Embryos

The BEC was seeking a meeting with the Associate Minister of Health to see whether the current Minister of Health was still supportive of embryos being on BEC’s Work Programme.

• Secretariat to ascertain position of Minister, Ministry of Health, and ACART.

Agricultural and Environment Strategy

• Agreed to start by pursuing a strategy of engagement – a framing exercise. Potentially next year evolve a more specific, larger project

Nanotechnology

• Secretariat to do some research on whether CES issues existed, and bring these back to BEC.

Issues at the End of Life

• BEC agreed not to consider this topic at this stage – maybe in the future.

Genetic Modification of Plants and Animals

• Agree not to undertake any project at this stage.

Biofuels

• Agree not to pursue this at this stage.

Collaborating with MoRST

• Agree to continue collaboration with MoRST in relation to the Research Agenda 2020 and the Futures steering group.

Genetic Testing

• Secretariat to do a further paper on the pros and cons of work in this area.

Commercialisation / Commodification

• Secretariat to give thought to narrowing down this topic, within the criteria, and brings a recommendation to the next meeting.

Tikanga Project

• Already under way. Can talk about this further at next meeting.

Action: Secretariat to refine further detail of a programme of work for 2008-09, including pros and cons of topics, for decision by the Council at its next meeting.

(Marie left meeting at 3.55 p.m. and Rosemary joined the meeting.)

8. Variance Report

The report was discussed. John said that a new budget system was being implemented and it would produce more useful and timely figures.

9. Secretariat Report

Report noted.

10. Other Business

None

10.1 Insurance

Secretariat still to determine whether Council is covered, and advise accordingly.

Action: Secretariat

10.2   Conflicts of Interest

Members should declare any perceived possible conflict.

10.3   Minutes of Previous Meeting

Although the minutes were previously passed, regarding action point no. 6 about disability perspective it was agreed that the correct wording should be to check the appropriate terminology for people with disabling conditions.

There being no further business, the meeting concluded at 4.10 p.m.

Action list

• February minutes be placed on the website

Action: Secretariat

• Members’ conflicts to be updated at each meeting

Action: Secretariat

• MWG to finalise changes to Maori chapter and recommendations

Action: Maori Working Group

• Ascertain position of Minister, Ministry of Health, and ACART on work on embryos.

Action: Secretariat

• Produce a further iteration of Report

Action: WGB Working Group

• Refine further details of a possible programme of work for 2008-09, including pros and cons of each topic

Action: Secretariat

• Determine whether Council has insurance cover, and advise Council

Action: Secretariat