There are some 750 women in Malta who became mothers after having IVF treatment here over the past 21 years, the Ministry of Justice and Family Affairs said this afternoon.

Replying to comments made yesterday by Labour leader Joseph Muscat, it denied his claim that women in Malta were not being given the chance to have a family because of the absence of an IVF legislation. "IVF has actually been available since 1991 and the first baby conceived by IVF will this year turn 21," the ministry said. "There are currently no limitations on IVF."

The ministry said a law to regulate IVF will be presented to parliament in the coming weeks after extensive consultations by the government with various entities. The House Social Affairs Committee  had also considered the manner of regulation of assisted procreation, a sector which was currently unregulated. In this way, the minister said, the law would safeguard the rights of all those involved, including the parents and, particularly, the embryos and children born through IVF.

IVF could then also be provided at Mater Dei Hospital.

The ministry said it regretted that such a sensitive and complex subject was being treated in a light and partisan manner, but it invited Dr Muscat to say what restrictions he felt the law should impose on IVF.

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