This criteria must be used for determining embryos that are considered unsuitable for implantation and that may be used for research. The NHMRC will continue to work with the scientific community to update and refine these Objective Criteria as additional scientifically authenticated information becomes available.
The Objective Criteria provide guidance on the criteria for deciding that embryos can be donated for use in licensed activities because they are considered to be unsuitable for implantation into the body of a woman. See Information for Applicants page .
The Objective Criteria do not relate to clinical decisions made during Assisted Reproductive Technology treatment. The criteria used to decide which embryos will be transferred to a woman to attempt to achieve pregnancy may differ from the Objective Criteria.
The Objective Criteria and accompanying contextual information were issued as guidelines by the CEO of NHMRC on 6 December 2007 as required by the definition of ’unsuitable for implantation’ in section 7 of the Research Involving Human Embryos Act 2002.
