New Norwegian Biotechnology Act

According to Norheim, the debate was "emotional, good and objective", whereby the politicians highlighted many of the ethical dilemmas posed by the new legislation and gave good arguments for their decisions. The consequences of their choices were also well explained.

Yes to early ultrasound and Non-Invasive Prenatal Test (NIPT)

A parliamentary majority said yes to egg donation, assisted fertilisation for single women, early ultrasound, and access to NIPT testing (which can detect chromosome defects in the unborn child) for all pregnant women. Norheim pointed out that free access to NIPT will raise new ethical questions and that the Biotechnology Advisory Board will continue to discuss these issues.

Open for possible mitochondrial donation treatment

Approval was also given to open up for possible mitochondrial donation in the longer term. Mitochondrial donation treatment can be used by people with severe mitochondrial disease to avoid passing the condition onto their children. The Biotechnology Advisory Board will be looking into this more closely.

Net-based gene testing prohibited

Norway is the first country in Europe to explicity prohibit net-based gene testing. This was proposed by the Biotechnology Advisory Board and approved by a large majority in the Norwegian Parliament.

_{This article is based on a Norwegian-language article published by the Norwegian Biotechnology Advisory Board: https://www.bioteknologiradet.no/2020/05/norge-har-fatt-en-ny-modernisert-bioteknologilov/}