Wednesday 11th Jul 2001 Penny Webster Media Release -- Other

Sue Kedgley's call for hastily-drawn up legislation in reaction to news that scientists will soon be able to fertilise human eggs without sperm is pointless, ACT MP Penny Webster said today.

"Sue Kedgley has typically used this example to call for us to regulate and legislate against every potential scientific development in human reproductive technology.

"What today's development proves is that drawing lines in the sand is pointless - they will simply get washed away, as new technology and progress renders old rules redundant.

"When we have debate on these issues, it should be responsible and far-reaching. We should base our decisions on facts, not emotion.

"Today's announcement means that the Ministry of Women's Affairs is redundant. Scientists have taken care of that.

"I am sure it will not be long before Ms Kedgley calls on us to replace this Ministry with an equally pointless Ministry of Men's Affairs. That's the sort of nonsense that arises from knee-jerk reactions," Mrs Webster said.

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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