Maori forum on ante-natal tests

Maori are being urged to get involved in discussions about ante-natal testing.

New Zealand Bioethics Council Maori member Tahu Potiki encouraged Maori to participate in a new on-line forum started by the council to promote discussion about ante-natal testing.

Mr Potiki said the purpose of the forum was to look at the different Maori views and find a common direction.

"Tikanga Maori [customs] gives clear cultural guidelines about how we treat one another and how the human body is regarded."

Mr Potiki said issues that might need to be considered were collective decision making, the use and storage of tissue and blood, access to maternity services, the development of culturally meaningful information and the role of Maori leadership in the research.

The forum is open for the next six weeks and will contribute to a report for government.

- NZPA