The report by the parliamentary select committee on IVF is disturbing, particularly the recommendation to permit the freezing of human embryos. It is well known that more embryos are usually produced in most IVF cycles than can be safely transferred into the uterus.

The inevitable question about the current practice in Malta must be asked – what is done with the extra embryos? Since they are not frozen, are they simply selected and discarded?

While freezing is the lesser of two evils, it is nonetheless morally wrong. Is freezing a human embryo using liquid nitrogen the best possible parental care and protection that parents could afford to their offspring? Indeed, the fragile embryo may not survive the entire process of cryopreservation.

Moreover, the practice in other countries has shown that countless embryos are simply left in storage facilities facing an uncertain future.

I am afraid that when our parliamentary representatives legislate to regulate IVF they will inadvertently condone what is inherently unethical.