Pro-life movements launch petition against embryo freezing

Pro-life group Life Network Foundation has launched a petition against the re-introduction of embryo freezing as part of IVF services offerred in Malta.

"Embryo freezing is a grave attack on the humanity of the unborn child from the moment of conception as has been unequivocally established by scientific research because it facilitates the easy selection, disposal and the destruction of innocent human life. This is one reason why it is prohibited in our current legislation," spokesperson Klaus Vella Bardon said.

The organisation said the Embryo Protection Act, which only allows the freezing of eggs, offerred couples the opportunity to have children and "at the same time achieve the delicate balance of helping those couples who seek help whilst safeguarding the dignity and rights of the child born of this procedure. It serves to protect the human embryo from destruction, manipulation and freezing, and, to ensure that every child has the right to his/her biological mother and father."

The group also resurrected a campaign goal of the Gift of Life Foundation to entrench the principle of protection of the unborn child in the Constitution of Malta.

The Cana Movement today also joined a chorus of disapproval against plans by the Labour government to re-introduce embryo freezing, after the medical practice was outlawed by the Nationalist government in 2013.

Cana joined a group of conservative organisations, some church-led, in opposing the law that will put embryo freezing on the national health register as part of IVF services.

“The implementation of embryo freezing will lead to the legalisation of abortion. Human life begins at conception and should be treated with respect and dignity from the moment of conception. Embryo freezing is incompatible with the dignity and respect which human life deserves,” Cana said in a statement.

It also claimed that it was “evident” that embryo freezing included the discarding of unwanted embryos. “If frozen embryos can be justifiably discarded outside the womb, the next step is to justify abortion of the unborn child within the womb,” Cana said.

“The Cana Movement is sensitive to the desire of couples to bear and rear children and they should be supported in this noble desire. The current Embryo Protection Act favours assistance to infertile couples. Children are gifts and not entitlements. IVF policies should therefore not relegate the rights of the unborn child to the desire to bear children, no matter how noble that desire may be.”

The Embryo Protection Act only allows the freezing of ova, and the fertilisation of just two eggs at each cycle; under the new proposed law, up to five eggs will be able to be fertilised and a maximum two implanted, the rest would be frozen.

“The balance between the rights of the unborn child and the interests of infertile couples is currently struck by an Embryo Protection Act which allows freezing of as yet unfertilised female ova but not embryo freezing. That balance should not be disturbed to the detriment of the unborn child. The results of the current IFV programme compare well to the results obtained in countries where the freezing or destruction of embryos is allowed,” Cana said.

“The Cana Movement appeals to civil society and to politicians of goodwill from both sides of the political spectrum to take a stand against embryo freezing and in favour of the unborn child, both within and outside the womb.”