Pro-lifers support need for IVF authority

Pro-lifers Gift Of Life have welcomed the general consensus in the House of Representatives to support the Embryo Protection Act, the bill currently being debated to regulate the industry of in vitro fertilization in Malta.

"We welcome the fact that there seems to be a general consensus on both sides of the House to protect human life from fertilization," spokesperson Paul Vincenti said.

Gift Of Life is supporting the need of an authority, currently envisaged in the law as a five-person board of professionals who will determine beneficiaries of IVF. Labour is seeking amendments to the law to allow medical professionals greater leeway in the name of 'best medical practice'.

"It would be meaningless to enact legislation without an effective authority which is in turn empowered to monitor and coordinate processes that involve not only the prospective parents and their rights, as well as the rights of the embryo, which is the most vulnerable person in the process," Vincenti said.

Gift of Life said it was in full agreement that couples persons seeking IVF treatment should be treated with the utmost sensitivity and care and that confidentiality should be respected at all times.

"We would, however, be very concerned  if this was achieved by removing accountability through the elimination of the authority. Working hand in hand with doctors and other health care professionals, an authority should not subtract anything from the provision of a service that is private, respectful and sensitive to the situations of couples seeking IVF treatment.

"It is our understanding that there are other forms of treatment available through the national health service, including treatment abroad, which are vetted, in confidence, by relevant boards on a case by case basis prior to approval."