Family First NSW Legislative Council candidate Lyle Shelton has announced that, if elected, he will move for a parliamentary inquiry into the ethical framework governing in vitro fertilisation (IVF) in New South Wales.
Mr Shelton said IVF had brought hope and joy to many couples struggling with infertility, but warned that rapid technological advances had outpaced ethical scrutiny.
"Family First is deeply compassionate toward couples who long for children. Infertility is a profound heartache, and modern medicine has helped many families experience the gift of life," Mr Shelton said.
"But any use of powerful reproductive technology must be guided by clear ethical boundaries. Right now, there are serious questions that deserve proper parliamentary scrutiny."
Mr Shelton said one of the most pressing concerns was the routine creation and destruction of excess embryos.
"IVF often involves producing multiple embryos, many of which are never implanted and are ultimately discarded or used for research," he said.
"Many Australians are increasingly uncomfortable with the idea that human life at its earliest stage can be treated as surplus."
He also raised concerns about the growing use of embryo screening technologies.
"Pre-implantation genetic testing allows embryos to be selected based on perceived 'quality', with others discarded. This raises profound ethical questions about disability discrimination and the commodification of human life," Mr Shelton said.
There is concern embryo screening is now being used for selecting traits and creating so-called 'designer babies'.
Mr Shelton pointed to emerging international developments where embryos are being ranked based on predicted traits such as health, intelligence and physical characteristics, sparking warnings about a new form of eugenics.
"Once we move beyond preventing serious disease into selecting preferred traits, we are on a slippery slope toward treating children as products rather than human beings with inherent dignity," he said.
Mr Shelton also highlighted ethical concerns around sex selection.
"While Australia currently restricts non-medical sex selection, there is ongoing pressure to liberalise these laws. Around the world, sex selection has been linked to gender discrimination and skewed birth ratios," he said.
He said broader questions also needed examination, including the commercialisation of reproduction, informed consent, and the long-term implications of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence in embryo selection.
A parliamentary inquiry, Mr Shelton said, would allow medical experts, ethicists, parents and the wider community to be heard.
"Technology should serve humanity — not redefine it."
Mr Shelton said Family First would advocate for safeguards that balance compassion for those experiencing infertility with a commitment to ethical integrity and the protection of human life.
"A civilised society does not ignore difficult ethical questions simply because the technology exists," he said.
"If elected, I will ensure the NSW Parliament gives this issue the serious consideration it deserves."
