I refer to Health Minister Joe Cassar’s comments on IVF, namely: “I feel we need to look deeper into alternative techniques and processes such as oocyte vitrification. My ministry is closely following developments in the field of assisted reproduction. We are also tapping into the experience and expertise of our counterparts in the EU to look into the technical, ethical and medical aspects of this area of practice.

“My message at this point in time, therefore, is let’s explore, let’s study such alternative pathways. There might be yet other options that we do not want to overlook. Effectively addressing the needs of couples seeking to have a child is high on our agenda. Embryo freezing is not. We need to find a comprehensive way of marrying these two realities.”

This is the way forward. Acting on my proposal, the Social Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives will be taking up the issue of ova vitrification with Michael Asciak, chairman of the Bioethics Consultative Committee, who, admitting “the news that five sets of triplets have found themselves in the special care neonatology unit of Mater Dei in the space of one month left me aghast and surprised”, has also stated that “if the ad hoc committee is ready to meet and re-examine these issues anew, taking into consideration the new scientific and ethical angles that they may not have previously considered, that is a positive sign and should be encouraged. An opportunity not to be missed I would say for those who believe in an objective truth!”

The Social Affairs Committee will be meeting under the chairmanship of Edwin Vassallo on February 22 and 23.