Wellington, March 16 NZPA - The Bioethics Council sent out a swansong press release thanking its supporters today but also having a dig at the Government for shutting it down.

Several environment programmes have been cancelled as the Government tries to make savings. The council answers to the Environment Ministry and its minister Nick Smith decided to disestablish it, saying its work was duplicated elsewhere.

Council chairman Martin Wilkinson said it was regrettable the body was being shut down and it had been involved in decisions about research on human embryos and had given advice of many aspects of biotechnology.

"These were broad topics, not falling neatly into the areas of particular ministries or committees," Dr Wilkinson said.

Dr Wilkinson said an independent review had found no other body in government had the broad range and deliberative focus of the Bioethics Council.

"What we did was unique. We hope the Government will in some form pursue broad and open deliberation."

In his statement, Dr Wilkinson thanked those who had given time and effort to deliberations.