Human Assisted Reproductive Technology Act 2004

Prohibited and regulated activities - Prohibited actions

10A: Ethics committee may approve extensions

You could also call this:

"The ethics committee can let you store embryos or gametes for longer if you ask them in writing."

Illustration for Human Assisted Reproductive Technology Act 2004

The ethics committee can approve extensions to the time limit for storing gametes or embryos if you apply in writing before the time limit runs out. You can ask for one or more extensions, and the committee will decide. The committee's decision applies to the storage of the embryo if it is made from the gamete that is being stored.

If the ethics committee approves an extension for a gamete, it also applies to any embryo made from that gamete that is being stored. This means you do not need to apply separately for the embryo. The rules in sections 29 and 30 still apply to the approval.

The ethics committee must follow the rules in sections 10B to 10D when giving, changing, or cancelling an approval for an extension. These rules help the committee make decisions about storing gametes and embryos. You can find more information about these rules in sections 10B to 10D.

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This page was last updated on 6 August 2025

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM3314009.

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10: Restriction and prohibition on further storage of human in vitro embryos and human in vitro gametes stored for applicable period (10 years and extensions), or

"Rules for storing human embryos and gametes: you can store them for 10 years, with possible extensions, then they must be disposed of."

10B: Giving of approval under section 10A, or

"The ethics committee can approve something if it follows the rules and guidelines, and can even change its mind or add conditions later."

Part 2Prohibited and regulated activities
Prohibited actions

10AEthics committee may approve extensions

The ethics committee may from time to time, before the applicable period expires and on a written application for the purpose, approve in respect of the gamete or embryo 1 or more extensions to the applicable period.
An approval given under this section in respect of storage of the only stored, or the (or any one of the) longest stored, gamete or gametes used in the creation of an embryo also applies to any storage of that embryo.
Sections 29 and 30 apply (without limitation) to, and to the giving, changing, or cancelling in accordance with sections 10B to 10D of, an approval under this section.

Notes

Section 10A: inserted, on 16 October 2010, by section 6 of the Human Assisted Reproductive Technology (Storage) Amendment Act 2010 (2010 No 117).