Dear Ministry of Health,

We are writing an academic article analysing, from a legal, ethical, and historical perspective, Section 51 of the Human Tissue Act 2008, titled "Anatomical examination and certain public display of body of person under 16 years prohibited."

This provision was not in Bill 1 (Human Tissue Bill 82-1), but appeared as section 51(1) in Bill 2 (Human Tissue Bill 82-2). To our knowledge, there is no discussion in the explanatory notes, nor the parliamentary debates relating to the bills, as to why this section was introduced.

Can you please provide us with all information you hold, or that is known in the Ministry, written or otherwise, relating directly to the prohibition contained in Section 51 of the Human Tissue Act 2008. This could include, without limitation, reports, correspondence, submissions, papers, advice, and personal communications relating directly to section 51, or the reasons for its inclusion.

Yours faithfully,

Jeanne Snelling, Mike King, and D. Gareth Jones
University of Otago

Dear Ministry of Health,

We would like to withdraw this information request - we will submit to you directly.

Yours faithfully,

Jeanne Snelling, Mike King, and D. Gareth Jones