Nisa Laburisti repeat call for embryo freezing, gamete donation

The women’s branch of the Labour Party has urged the government to introduce embryo freezing and the anonymous donation of gametes so as to boost Malta’s IVF success rate.

Nisa Laburisti president Claudette Abela Baldacchino said that only 18.9% of IVF deliveries in Malta are successful, almost a third below the EU average of 30%.

“We reiterate our appeal to the government for a change to IVF laws to reflect and address realities which until now have been ignored,” she said.

“Our appeal is for government to move forward and embrace recommendations that have been submitted to the inter-ministerial IVF review working committee.

The committee is looking into the introduction of embryo vitrification, which in contrast to the technology of slow freezing, is said to be a more efficient method for the cryopreservation of embryos.

Embryo freezing was banned in 2013 when the Embryo Protection Act was introduced, with support from both sides of the House. That law introduced oocyte vitrification – the freezing of eggs – while banning any form of sperm or egg donation, and surrogacy.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has said that he is resolute to introduce embryo freezing, arguing that it is a “position of common sense” . However, MaltaToday reported in February that this proposal is likely to face resistance from several of his MPs.

Foreign affairs minister George Vella, planning parliamentary secretary Deborah Schembri, and government whip Godfrey Farrugia have all publicly come out against embryo freezing, while Labour MP Deo Debattista has described embryos as “small babies”.

The Church has issued a position paper, arguing against any changes to the current IVF law, which it said “safeguards the legitimate interests of the prospective child” and “champions appropriate standards of ethics in fertility treatment”.