PM labels dissenters to new IVF law as ‘usual suspects’ with ‘doomsday predictions’
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat on Thursday hit out at what he described as the “usual suspects” and their “doomsday predictions” when addressing a group of Malta Gay Rights Movement activists who were launching a project to document changes to laws pertaining to LGBTIQ issues.
Muscat was referring to the proposed changes to the IVF law, announced by health minister Chris Fearne on Wednesday, which will allow the process of embryo freezing.
According to the proposed amendments, embryos that would no longer be needed as a result of a successful pregnancy would be frozen. Infertile couples or single women may then anonymously “adopt” an embryo that was not used by another couple.
Speaking at the MGRM event, Muscat said that, “as with all thorny issues, we must put forward our views and be able to listen to opposing ones. Yet once again, this government will be taking bold decisions to push forward progressive laws which will make Malta a more equal country for all.”
He praised the LGBTIQ community for its contribution towards changing the laws. “Together… we changed a culture and we changed the country from one where it was merely accepted to be LGBTIQ to one where we can freely and openly love each other and be recognised as couples, parents and a family by everyone. Malta today is more beautiful than it was a few years ago.”
The PM added that the mission is not yet completed: “I must warn against complacency. Progress is not inevitable and if not sustained we can be pushed backwards.
“We are on the verge of introducing further historic changes to our laws which will give more persons the immense joy of becoming a parent. The changes in our IVF laws will give new hope to many who want to embrace their own children in their hands.”
On Thursday, former foreign minister George Vella hit out at the proposed law, describing it as “a complete travesty of ethics, morality, and human dignity, allegedly to remove “discrimination” imposed by nature herself.”
It is not known whether Muscat was referring to George Vella specifically.
In another tweet, the former minister asked: “New IVF Bill: Need we go this far down this slippery slope to deliver on the topic promise of ‘equality’?”
Meanwhile, a parliamentary petition calling for the Embryo Protection Act to be retained in its current form, with embryo freezing remaining prohibited, has garnered more than 2,600 signatures so far.
The petition, created by Emanuela Cachia, was launched on the Parliament website on 3 March but seems to have picked up pace over the past few hours.
“The petitioner respectfully requests the House of Representatives to ascertain that every embryo is protected and The Embryo Protection Act is not amended. 1) From conception we have the right to live a dignified life. 2) We protect life, educate and support compassionately. 3) This is an opportunity for people to express themselves and to make their position known to the House of Representatives,” the description reads.
“Who am I to choose who lives or who dies? The proposed amendments to the Embryo Protection Act recommend that five oocytes (ovas) are fertilised. Two of the five embryos are implanted in the womb, whilst the other three embryos are cryopreserved (frozen). Present day technology does not guarantee that the three frozen embryos survive the procedure and neither is there any guarantee that the embryos are eventually implanted in the mother’s womb.
“The Embryo Protection Act provides for the protection of human embryos. The purpose of this petition is to uphold this universal right: the right to life.”