Page:Human Reproductive Technology Ordinance (Cap. 561).pdf/10

5. Functions and powers of Council

(1) The Council shall—

(a) keep under review information about—

(i) embryos and any subsequent development of embryos;

(ii) relevant activities;

(iii) surrogacy arrangements,

and advise the Secretary for Health and Welfare, if the Secretary asks it to do so, about those matters;

(b) publish or otherwise make available—

(i) lists of premises at which relevant activities may be carried on pursuant to a licence;

(ii) statistics and summaries concerning relevant activities which have been carried on;

(c) provide, to such extent as it considers appropriate, information for persons (including persons proposing to be persons)—

(i) to whom licences apply;

(ii) to whom a reproductive technology procedure is provided; or

(iii) providing gametes or embryos for use for the purposes of a relevant activity or surrogacy arrangement;

(d) promote (by the dissemination of information and in other ways) informed public debate on the medical, social, moral, ethical and legal issues that arise from relevant activities and surrogacy arrangements;

(e) liaise and co-operate with any person in any place outside Hong Kong—

(i) performing in that place any functions which, in the opinion of the Council, are similar (whether in whole or in part) to any of the Council’s functions under this Ordinance; and

(ii) in respect of any matters of mutual interest concerning relevant activities and surrogacy arrangements, in particular any ethical or social issues arising therefrom; and

(f) perform such other functions as are imposed on it under this Ordinance or any other enactment.

(2) The Council may do all such things as are necessary for, or incidental or conducive to, the better performance of its functions and in particular but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, may—

(a) carry out research into the social consequences of reproductive technology procedures;

(b) promote research into the causes of human infertility;

(c) exercise such other powers as are conferred on it under this Ordinance or any other enactment.