IVF | PM supports embryo freezing ban, ‘values are part of Malta’s DNA’

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi this evening said that moral values formed part of the country's DNA. Addressing the debate over the Embryo Protection Bill, Gonzi reiterated that the primary aim of the bill was to protect the embryo.

"I know that it took us years to arrive where we are today. But during these years we listened to consultants, followed the technology and held discussions with all stakeholders. Because above all, we always wanted to protect the embryo," he said.

Both government and opposition have endorsed the banning of embryo freezing. The Prime Minister said that oocyte vitrification was the answer to this moral dilemma.

 "Protecting the embryo represents who we are, our values. We respect human life: we believe in protecting life from the very beginning, even before the birth of the baby," he said.

"These values are part of our country's DNA."

Gonzi said he was satisfied that the bill was not subject to controversy by both sides of the House.

"As legislators, we have the duty to see that the correct laws are applied. As government we have the duty to see that everyone is given the right to build a family," Gonzi said.

He added that it was unfair that there were couples who couldn't have children because they didn't afford to pay for the treatment. "As government we have the duty to provide for them as well. We won't hinder the work carried it out by the private sector, but at the same time we cannot abandon these families."

Gonzi said that the bill's aim was to regulate issues which today weren't regulated. "For example, there is nothing in the Maltese law that stops cloning today. With this law, this will become illegal, just like it will become illegal to use embryos for experimentation or making use of surrogate mothers," he said.

The prime minister conceded that the five-man committee that will regulate recipients of IVF shouldn't act as a big brother. "While I agree that this authority should do away with excessive red tape and shouldn't over regulate, yet we shouldn't allow any leniency that could either endanger the mother or the baby," he said.

He insisted that the law was not there to "interfere" but to "regulate". Gonzi added that he saw no reason as to why the House shouldn't be able to reach a consensus over the authority's role.

The bill outlaws embryo freezing and proposed the novel science of freezing the female gametes - ova - which are then fertilised in pairs: after harvesting, two eggs are fertilised with sperm, while the rest of the eggs are frozen for later use. Unlike embryo freezing, vitrification skirts the ethical dilemmas of leaving 'unclaimed' human embryos in freezers. No more than two ova can be fertilised during each fertilisation cycle, and access to IVF will be regulated by an embryology authority to decide who is entitled to the free treatment.

Labour however said the law should not limit the number of eggs that get fertilized, and that this should be decided by best medical practice according to the consultant overseeing the infertile couple's IVF treatment.

But the Prime Minister said that he did not agree with this proposal and insisted that that no more than two should be fertilised.

Concluding, Gonzi proposed a 24-hour timeframe in which the Nationalist and Labour party analyse each other's proposals, with the amendments to be then discussed and approved in the House at committee stage.

Also addressing the House this evening were PN MPs Charlo Bonnici, Beppe Fenech Adami, Francis Zammit Dimech, Stephen Spiteri and Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono.

All MPs underlined the importance of safeguarding the embryo, the parents and the regulation of the service.