Ethical issues that have been particularly contentious in recent times include human rights, euthanasia, embryonic stem cells and human cloning, and the freedom of religion. Too often these issues have been dealt with poorly by governments, as individual rights, scientific argument, rational thinking and ethical action has been obscured in public debate, and particularly by religious dogmatism.

The following submissions to Australian policy bodies attempt to redress this imbalance by making a compelling case for the primacy of individual rights, and the right of an individual to be responsible for his or her own body.