No place for fundamentalism in a society embracing ethical pluralism, AD says about IVF law

There is no place for fundamentalism in a society embracing ethical pluralism, the Green Party said yesterday, speaking on the subject of amendments to the IVF law, while calling for the discussion on the amendments to be “more tolerant of contrasting views”.

In a statement, the party said: “In matters of contrasting ethical values, it is also essential that the proposed law itself respects this. For this purpose, it is proposed that those who, on the grounds of conscience, do not want to make use of the embryo freezing process should have their opinion respected and therefore they should have a right to an opt-out from this procedure.”

AD Chairperson Carmel Cacopardo and Secretary-General Ralph Cassar proposed this solution to overcome the current im- passe, saying that contrasting views should be respected without the imposition of one view over all other views.

They also released a position paper by AD on amendments to the IVF law. In essence, the party said it agrees with the aims and main thrust of the amendments. However, the party said it was compelled to emphasise: 1) “We should be respectful of ethical pluralism. As a result, it should be possible that persons who, for reasons of conscience, do not accept the freezing of embryos have their opinion respected. It should be possible that they make use of a limited IVF service by opting out of the freezing stage of the process. This right should be recognised by a lay state. 2) “At all times the right to information should be upheld. This applies to both the person who will receive the donation of sperm or egg as well as any child born as a result of the IVF procedure. This right means that the identity of the person making the donation should be known to the person in receipt of the donation. Even children born following the IVF procedure, on attaining the age of 16, should have the right to know the identity of their natural parents. Secrecy is not acceptable. 3) “It is necessary to have procedures in place for sperm and egg screening for genetically transmitted diseases. 4) “While understanding fully that surrogacy is being proposed under the condition that it is not commercialised, it still remains unclear as to how this will be done because once surrogacy is possible it may be difficult to have effective control over abuse. 5) “The proposal of the adoption of embryos is difficult to implement and requires a much deeper discussion.” In view of this, AD reaffirmed the need for society to embrace ethical pluralism as a fact. “We need to respect each other’s opinions without attributing ulterior motives, especially in such sensitive and personal issues. Obviously, the more sensitive the issues, the more it is necessary to discuss with respect. When people agree, respect comes easy.

“The Bill as presented requires some more thought as it needs substantial improvements.”