Student organisation urges government not to invest in half-baked civil rights

Student organisation Pulse has urged government to consider making the IVF law applicable to other types of families if the law proves to be beneficial.

"Together with sperm donation, this should be considered and implemented in a gradual manner over the years," Pulse said today.

Pulse said that for its start, it was important that IVF is only granted to couples who could offer a strong family environment to the children.

It said that it was very important for couples making use of IVF to receive proper consultations.

The organisation expressed its concern that, with the proposed amendments to the law, government was merely attempting to make the law look less conservative, tied to the moral thinking of its authors.

"Allowing more eggs to be fertilised could lead to multiple pregnancies and expose the mother to more health risks," Pulse said, adding that the authorities had not yet explained what will happen to the extra fertilised eggs.

It said that the idea to set up a board to decide the eligibility of couples to be come parents must secure ethical conduct throughout the whole process, rather than burdening the procedure with extra waiting times and costs.

Pulse lauded the consultation process carried out by Justice Minister Chris Said. It however said it more weight should have been given to the conclusion given by the IVF select committee, chaired by PN MP Jean Pierre Farrugia.

Pulse also called on the minister and MPs to consider the process of embryo freezing.

"While oocyte vitrification should still be permitted for couples who may feel more comfortable using it due to any moral dilemmas, there is no need to ban embryo freezing. The law should avoid the doubts expressed on egg freezing related to its success rate, and the excessive strain it causes to the mother."

Despite the need to introduce IVF law, Pulse noted that the "timing and motivation of the law was debatable".

"We are discussing IVF, together with other civil rights, in a legislation characterized by votes of no-confidence, defections and newly-formed coalitions. Young people hope that these laws are a product of good intentions to change society for the better rather than attempts to bring stability in parliament."