The discussion on the amendments to the IVF legislation should be more tolerant of contrasting views. 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 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, Alternattiva Demokratika said..

AD Chairperson Carmel Cacopardo and Secretary General Ralph Cassar proposed this solution to overcome the impasse – contrasting views should be respected without imposition of one view over all other views. They also released a position paper by AD on amendments to the IVF law. 

AD made the following points:

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. As a result 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, when attaining 16 years of age 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 commercialized, it still remains unclear as to how this will be done because once surrogacy is possible it may be difficult to have effective controls on abuse.

5) The proposal of the adoption of embryos is difficult to implement and requires a much deeper discussion."

In view of this AD reaffirms 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 presented requires some more thought as it requires substantial improvements.

A society that embraces ethical pluralism is no place for any kind of fundamentalism, concluded Cacopardo and Cassar.