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MW 9 September 2015

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4 maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 9 SEptEmbEr 2015 News Pro-lifers on the warpath over embryo freezing plans Matthew Vella Pro-lifers Gift of life have deplored Prime Minister Joseph Muscat's statement in which he declared himself to be "resolute" to introduce embryo freezing, as a reform to Malta's law on artificial insemination gets underway. Malta's law regulating in vitro fer- tilization was introduced in 2013 to ban embryo freezing and instead introduce the freezing of eggs – or oocyte vitrification – on the na- tional health registry. But Gol have accused Muscat of using his personal opinion on em- bryo freezing to "exert undue pres- sure" on an inter-ministerial review of the embryo Protection Act. "Can this but only be interpreted by persons of goodwill, as dishon- esty and deceit, which is most un- becoming of a Prime Minister in a modern day democracy?" Gol said. The pro-life lobby, which had unsuccessfully petitioned MPs to entrench the crime of abortion in the Maltese Constitution, also took issue with claims that the freezing of embryos would improve preg- nancy outcomes. "According to the Government's very own statistics, Malta, where we only freeze the female egg and not embryos, enjoys a compara- ble, and at times, a better success rate for iVf treatment when com- pared to other european countries who have embryo freezing. What's more, egg freezing or 'vitrification' as it is known, is in fact more cut- ting edge that the older embryo freezing method." embryo freezing was only banned in 2013 after years of being prac- tised by private hospitals. The new iVf law will limit the implantation in women of fertilised embryos to a maximum of two at one go, and al- low up to five eggs being fertilised. "The Prime Minister had previ- ously reassured the pro-life move- ment that he and the labour Party were pro-life. We reach out to him to demonstrate this in practice. The proposal to freeze human embryos is a deep severe affront to us all. it carries grave adverse consequences for the respect and dignity of all human life, most ur- gently the unborn," Gol said. The group is also claiming that Malta is "on the cusp" of legalising abortion. "Treating the embryo as a com- modity severely devalues human life deserving of the utmost respect from conception. The Prime Min- ister is knowingly hastening what can only be a natural consequence, the legalization of abortion." Under the proposed law, frozen embryos not used by their parents will be available for adoption, but parents can seek a court order not to have their embryos put out for adoption. Gol has questioned whether it would be unlawful for unused embryos to be disposed of. "if not, what other options are there given that one cannot force a woman to have these implanted?" The group also claimed that em- bryo freezing would lead to the stockpiling of "hundreds of unused embryos" and that prospective par- ents would not want to adopt un- used embryos. Gol said that embryos not used for adoption instead face the fate of being frozen continuously, de- stroyed or given for scientific re- search. "Consequently, all the unborn, not just those created through iVf, are relegated to a status equivalent to just another product devoid of rights and dignity. The public must be aware that as a result of an em- bryo freezing policy, the unborn child will instantly take on a new identity, one that is only respected if it is wanted or needed." Muscat resolute on freezing Joseph Muscat on sunday told MaltaToday that he would forge ahead with plans to re-introduce embryo freezing. "i am resolute to introduce em- bryo freezing," Muscat told Malta- Today. The health ministry is currently carrying out a review of the em- bryo Protection Act, which was the first piece of legislation to address Malta's unregulated protocols for in vitro fertilization. The 2013 law was remarkable for having outlawed embryo freezing and instead introduced the freezing of eggs – a process called oocyte vitrification – as well as banned any form of sperm or egg donation, and surrogacy. As opposition leader, Muscat had voted in favour of the embryo Pro- tection Act. "This was a compro- mise that allowed, at the very least, the introduction of a law." The embryo Protection Act lim- its the fertilization of the female eggs to just two ova, while the rest of the ova produced during the stimulation process are frozen for their later fertilization. only under permission by the embryo Protec- tion Authority can a couple in- crease their chances of pregnancy by increasing the number of ferti- lized eggs to three. But Muscat said that "any iVf law, for it to be successful, must have the function of freezing". The prime minister said that un- der the new law that is to be pro- posed, the number of eggs that can be fertilized will increase to five. of these fertilized eggs, a maxi- mum of two embryos will be able to be implanted in the mother at one go. in iVf, it is never a guarantee that each single egg that gets harvested from a woman, will eventually pro- duce an embryo once fertilized. Muscat told MaltaToday that if out of those five eggs, more than two embryos are produced, the re- mainder will be frozen so that they can be re-used again by the couple for another cycle. The embryo Protection Author- ity will also assume responsibility for the frozen embryos that are not used, if the couple goes beyond its fertility age. They will be offered up for adoption. if the couple does not wish the embryos to be adopted, they can file a court application so that a judge takes a decision on the mat- ter. Muscat also said that the new law would, contrary to the present leg- islation, allow gay women to access the service. "This law will give the opportu- nity for more couples to be able to form families, and for gay women couples to have children and start their own family." Between January 2013 and June 2015, 411 iVf and iCsi (intracy- toplasmic sperm injection) cycles were carried out in Malta, 81 of them in the new iVf clinic at Mater Dei Hospital. in total, 116 viable pregnancies have resulted from these cycles – an overall success rate of 28%, which compares well with the latest figure published by the UK Human fertilization & embryo Authority (HfeA) – 25% in 2011. mvella@mediatoday.com.mt Fearne stresses need of rehabilitation centre HeAlTH Parliamentary secre- tary Chris fearne spoke about the essential service provided by physiotherapists, who often helped patients through long-term condi- tions, in an address marking World Physiotherapy Day yesterday. The Physiotherapy Department put up various activities during the week to mark the day. "The events are meant to help patients reach their full potential and give their contribution to so- ciety," a statement by the depart- ment said. "st luke's Hospital will be con- verted into a rehabilitation centre later on during the year," fearne said, stressing that the number of people needing further care out- side hospital was rising every year. "These patients often need long- term rehabilitation, even if they are discharged from hospital, and we are currently facing a vacuum to meet their needs." fearne said that the new rehabili- tation hospital at st luke's would be equipped with the latest equip- ment and facilities. "right now, physiotherapists are expected to work miracles with largely outdated equipment," he said. The statement also pointed out that various discussions and talks were held to assist people in need of a physiotherapist throughout the week. The week also featured a number of physical activity class- es, which were attended by wheel- chair users among others. parliamentary Secretary Chris Fearne looks forward to new rehabilitation Hospital at St Luke's on the occasion of World physiotherapy Day Patients marking World Physiotherapy Day yesterday

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