Victoria
The following five policy principles underpin the Victorian Government actions in biotechnology:
- to optimise the economic, environmental and social benefits of biotechnology;
- to protect and promote the health of the Victorian community;
- to assure environmental safety and sustainability;
- to require all actions are undertaken within an ethical framework; and
- to ensure there is full consultation, communication, transparency, monitoring and accountability.
The establishment of the Victorian Biotechnology Ethics Advisory Committee in 2000 now provides an independent review of ethical issues associated with biotechnology and gene technology. The Committee facilitated a Stakeholder Consensus meeting in 2004 that recommended the development of a Statement of Ethical Principles to guide users of the technology across all research and commercial applications in the fields of agriculture, environment and biomedical.
In addition, the Victorian Government is committed to enhancing the ability of the wider Victorian community to engage in informed debate particularly in the areas of ethics.
The Victorian State Government's vision for biotechnology is described in the document Biotechnology Strategic Development Plan for Victoria 2004.
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