Health Minister Chris Fearne dismissed comments by President Marie-Louise Coleiro that she only signed the Embryo Act out of loyalty to the Constitution as a matter of “opinion”.

In a statement on Thursday, Ms Coleiro Preca said she had signed the Embryo Act “solely out of loyalty” to the Constitution, while she holds strong to her belief that human beings should be respected from the moment of conception.

Read: President signs Embryo Act solely "out of loyalty" to Constitution

Ms Coleiro Preca said she has always believed that every human being's dignity and physical integrity should be respected from the moment of conception to the grave.

Asked about the statement, Mr Fearne insisted that the President, like any other citizen, had a right to her own opinion, pointing out that the government had taken her opinions into consideration when reviewing the changes that were approved in parliament on Tuesday.

“We're satisfied that the President, after finding solace in the conclusion of the Attorney General that the amendments were in line with the Constitution, signed the Act and now this is law.

“Obviously, the President, like any other citizen, has a right to her opinion and we listened to what she had say and we even took onboard a number of suggestions that she had made,” Mr Fearne said.