Vic ethics committee will examine biotech

A voluntary code of ethics for the Victorian biotechnology industry was likely to be the first task of the State Government's new ethics advisory committee.

The Department of Human Services (DHS) is currently sifting through 40 expressions of interest from people seeking one of 10 seats on the Victorian Biotechnology Ethics Advisory Committee.

According to the DHS strategic plan, VBEAC's brief will be to "examine any biotech-related ethical matters impacting on Victoria and to provide advice to the Victorian Minister for Health upon request".

The manager of the DHS biotechnology safety and ethics program, Ellen Kittson, said that while the internal committee would not have the high profile policing abilities of the national gene technology regulator, it would advise the minister on national ethical debates in the field and how they may affect the state.

"One of the first tasks would be a code of ethical practice for biotechnology in Victoria, which could be applied as a voluntary code," Kittson said.

As well as establishing the committee, Kittson said the DHS was also running a series of community information forums to address any public concerns over gene technology and biotech.

She said two sessions had been held so far, in Bendigo and Goroke, at the request of local councils, and it was hoped there would be demand for a further four to six by the end of the financial year.

The sessions, which must be initiated by the community, involve specialists from the area of concern visiting the area to answer questions.