Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1309486
3 LETTERS & EDITORIAL maltatoday | SUNDAY • 15 NOVEMBER 2020 Mikiel Galea Letters & Clarifications Fallacious personhood argument I refer to John Muscat (Letters, No- vember 8) and his fallacious rebuttal of my argument regarding personhood. He argues that personhood evolves with time and that this process can be extrapolated backwards to conception, concluding erroneously that the em- bryo/foetus is a person before birth. In my view there are three problems with his argument. First, his premise is incorrect. Infants do grow and develop into children, adolescents and adults but they remain the same human being. Their identity does not change. I am today the same person I was at birth, and it is that same person that will eventually die. As we age, our bodies change and so will our thoughts and emotions but we still are the same person who was born. The second problem with his argu- ment is that even if we were to agree that there is continuity of personhood from one day to another, that does not mean that we can extrapolate such a continuity back forever, or in this case, as far as is convenient (as Muscat wants it to start exactly at the moment of conception, and not before). Third, even if we were to accept that there is a process by which person- hood evolves, it does not follow that whatever has the potential to evolve into a person is a person, which seems to be what Muscat wants to claim - at least not until we get back to the point of conception, before which having the potential to become a person no longer seems to be enough to do this. I conclude therefore that Muscat's statement that abortion terminates the process of personhood is logically incorrect. Prof. Isabel Stabile FRCOG., Ph.D. St Julian's School absenteeism In response to the Parliamentary Question regarding school attendance, the Office of the Commissioner for Children would like to reiterate its concerns and those of the Council for Children. When schools were set to reopen the Office stressed the need for school attendance to remain compul- sory and only children who are vul- nerable to be exempt from attending school. The statistics presented show that only half of those not attending school are not attending due to being vulner- able. This raises great concern as this means that there are some children who are not receiving any form of education being provided by educa- tors. Absenteeism existed prior to the pandemic and already provided many challenges to reach children not at- tending compulsory schooling, even though there were many measures in place. The pandemic has created even more challenges, especially since at- tendance is no longer obligatory, and a number of children are falling through the gaps. Many health protocols have been put in place in schools therefore, parents/carers should prioritise school attendance over other activities such as going to supermarkets and attending other activities. The Office would also like to reiter- ate the need for long-term investment in remote learning for those students who are not able to attend school. Stu- dents should be able to connect with their classroom live so as to engage as much as possible. The Office together with the Council for Children calls on all the relevant authorities to ensure that all children are guaranteed their right to education. Pauline Miceli Commissioner for Children