HLEN Monthly Lunchtime Seminar - 'Maeve's Law: Science and Ethics' (5 April 2022)

In this seminar, David Thorburn, Megan Munsie and Christopher Gyngell presented on 'Maeve's Law: Science and Ethics'.

On 30 March 2022, through a conscience vote, the Mitochondrial Donation Law Reform (Maeve’s Law) Bill passed the Senate, after having passed the House of Representatives in December 2021. Maeve’s Law legalises research and access to new assisted reproductive techniques - collectively referred to as mitochondrial replacement or transfer techniques - that aim to reduce the risk of parents passing on mitochondrial disease to their biological children. In this seminar, we will discuss the scientific, legal and ethical implications of Maeve’s Law. First, Professor David Thorburn will describe the science behind mitochondrial disease and the clinical need for mitochondrial transfer techniques. Then, Professor Megan Munsie will discuss the historical restrictions that have been placed on mitochondrial transfer and related technologies, what Maeve’s Law now allows and how access will be overseen. Finally, Dr Christopher Gyngell will discuss some of the ethical issues raised by mitochondrial transfer, and how these are being addressed.