Revising the Embryo Protection Act just three years after it came into force has reignited the ethical and moral dilemmas surrounding embryo freezing. Kim Dalli speaks with Malta’s MEPs on the subject.

David Casa, PN

I am inclined to wait for an explanation from the government on why it is changing a law that was enacted just three years ago. It is my understanding that results in Malta compare well, even with countries that have introduced embryo freezing. Therefore, I fail to see what would be achieved through its introduction.

At this stage an internal group set up by the party leader is consulting on the matter, ahead of an internal debate within the parliamentary group. I look forward to participating in this debate.

 

 

Roberta Metsola, PN

The EU has no competence to legislate on this area; this is an issue that is strictly left up to member states and as a MEP I will always vote to keep it this way.

Embryo freezing raises a number of emotive issues that any proposed legislation must address. My starting point has always been that medical advancements that nurture life are welcome. But I am not a scientist or a medical expert, so on these issues it is necessary to listen to what parents and doctors are telling us.

This is why the PN is undertaking a wide consultation process to hear what the experts in the field and the people affected are saying. We would be irresponsible not to.

In the meantime, we also have to wait for the government to publish the draft law – as with everything the devil is in the detail. We also have to see why it is considered necessary to change the current legislation that has been in place for just three years. We need to understand what safeguards are being envisaged. We need to see what legal framework will govern this process. These are all questions that cannot be answered until we see the draft law and understand this government’s intentions.

Alfred Sant, PL

I agree with embryo freezing because it makes sense. If such a technique is not used, one would need to resort to a multitude of procedures which spawn fear, sorrow and pain; procedures where the chances of success are greatly being diminished.

Regarding the fate of unused embryos, one would need to examine the best practices abroad and follow them. This is something that is evolving around the world.

 

 

Marlene Mizzi, PL

It is an extremely sensitive subject and can be very painful for those who cannot naturally have children.

To give a couple the chance to have a child is the biggest gift one can give. Obviously, embryo freezing is not the ideal way, so I can understand people who are against it.

I am against abortion and I am aware that this might sound contradictory – I believe that when there’s life, there’s life.

I still need to examine the terms and conditions of the proposed draft law. But at the end of the day, if you can give parents the gift of a child and if there exists the technological means to do so in the most ethical way possible, then I agree with embryo freezing.

Therese Comodini Cachia, PN

It was not necessary to bring up the issue at present because data seem to indicate that the success rates of the current system of egg freezing is yielding the same results as other countries using embryo freezing.

If the aim is to give couples the best chances of having children and if research shows that aim is being fulfilled, then why change the law? If there is another aim, then that is different and the government should clearly articulate its position.

There are a multitude of aspects to consider. Will every embryo be given the opportunity to grow or will we have a situation where frozen embryos are discarded? If not, will they be given up for adoption? Then how would this be distinct from surrogacy and how will this be regulated? I remain to be convinced that, statistically, we need the introduction of embryo freezing.

Miriam Dalli , PL

At this point, I think it is still premature for me to say whether I agree or not. I would rather listen to all the different arguments, analyse them and then arrive to an informed conclusion. I would like to hear all the arguments – legal, moral/ethical and religious.

There are two main issues which are of utmost importance. I understand the position of parents who are unable to have children because it is a very painful situation. On the other hand, this needs to be balanced out with protecting life.

Whether an embryo constitutes a human or not is an ongoing bioethical debate with no clear-cut conclusions.

I think there also has to be a distinction between embryo freezing and embryo destruction because they are two totally different matters.