ACDP Parliamentary newsletter - 27 August 2003
Here is the latest news from Parliament:
1. Foetus research unjustifiable, says ACDP
2. Proposal to allow school governing bodies rights to decide on teacher remuneration
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1. Foetus research unjustifiable, says ACDP
Media Stataement by Cheryllyn Dudley
27 August 2003
Deliberations on the use of tissue, blood, blood products or gametes removed from a living person in the National Health Bill have provoked controversy over the department of health's ethics, as the Bill provides for the use of 14-day-old foetuses for research purposes.
ACDP health spokesperson Cheryllyn Dudley says that she was horrified to hear the explanation by the health department that this type of research was justified because of the importance of its results.
"Does the importance of research then justify the use of human beings as guinea pigs for experimentation?" Dudley asked.
"The department however, does not consider a developing human foetus a human being before 14 days, and has given the go ahead for these foetuses to be used for research, provided the donor gives their consent.
"Apart from the questionable findings of such research, this creates a market for foetuses and cash-strapped people may now consider this a new method of making money," Dudley said.
"The Bill presently does not specifically prohibit the deliberate farming of foetuses for research purposes. Concerns raised in the medical ethics convention around the establishment of so-called foetus factories are not adequately addressed in the Bill, as the minister will have the power to authorise such establishments.
"The ethical minefield of this legislation is made worse by the total disregard for developing human life by the department and government," Dudley said.
For more information: Cheryllyn Dudley MP at 082 890 6520 or (021) 403 2453 Media Liaison: Charmaine Horne at 084 370 3550 or 021 403 3307
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2. Proposal to allow school governing bodies rights to decide on teacher remuneration
Media Statement by Cheryllyn Dudley
27 August 2003
A proposed amendment to the Education Laws Amendment Bill by ACDP spokesperson on education Cheryllyn Dudley that the final decision on whether to pay extra remuneration or benefits to teachers is being considered by the portfolio committee on education.
The proposed amendment states that proposals for such a payment be lodged with the department of education four months prior to the finalisation of school governing bodies budgets and that such proposals must take into account the implications of the employment contract with the department and the labour law.
This proposal would also have to take into account whether the service delivered by the teacher would interfere with the normal service delivery and whether this service is already paid for by the department as part of the teacher's regular salary.
According to Dudley, this proposed amendment covers all the stipulations stated in the Education Laws Amendment Bill, yet grants school governing bodies the right to decide whether a teacher deserves extra remuneration or benefits.
Dudley argued that the current Amendment Bill effectively removes the powers of school governing bodies in deciding matters of this nature, reducing them to 'parent slave labour', merely doing the bidding of the government.
"Why call them governing bodies when they have no governing powers?" Dudley asked.
"The department is under the impression that because the state pays teachers, the teachers belong to it. I reminded the committee that teachers are paid with taxpayer's money and that the state is only an administrator of the funds.
"This money effectively belongs to parents, and they should have the final say about how it is spent," Dudley said.
For more information: Cheryllyn Dudley MP at 082 890 6520 or (021) 403 2453 Media Liaison: Charmaine Horne at 084 370 3550 or 021 403 3307
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