Nationalist MP Jean-Pierre Farrugia was quoted on your website (January 3) as saying that as chairman of the parliamentary committee which had discussed assisted procreation, “once a new law is enacted, he would also start up a fund to give fiscal incentives so that all frozen embryos would be implanted in the womb of biological or adoptive mothers”.
The regulation of IVF legislation is needed urgently but I do not agree with the legislation as proposed, including the freezing of embryos.
The embryo is an existing human being, unique and irreplaceable. It has a right not to be manipulated or frozen.
The ‘miracle’ of IVF babies born is proof that those early human embryos are distinct human individuals.
Freezing of this human life is degrading and puts the embryos at unnecessary risk, as some are destroyed in the process of thawing, and is thus unacceptable.
It is a well researched fact that when freezing facilities are offered even as a last resort, there are always many surplus embryos left as a byproduct. There are also court cases in which separating couples refuse to allow donation of their genetic material, with the subsequent embryos unclaimed and eventually destroyed.
There are countries that have passed legislation on IVF without the freezing option, so if Malta did so it would be an exception in this regard.
Regarding the adoption of these surplus embryos, there are many issues involved that are not being discussed. Who would adopt embryos that carry a genetic disease, or that have been already eliminated on health grounds in the implantation process?
Besides, many other people are not prepared to endorse the freezing of embryos on moral or ethical grounds. Passing this legislation with the freezing option is highly objectionable.
A pro-life group made up of professionals, including doctors and consultants, has been set up.
The group, called Professionals Against Freezing of Embryos, will be formally launched shortly. We are against freezing and destruction of human life at all levels.
I invite all professional people who are against the freezing of embryos to join us. The public is also invited to support us.