President Mare Louise Coleiro Preca is concerned by the polarised debates currently under way on the proposed amendments to the Embryo Protection Act, as these "do not constructively contribute to a holistic understanding of the human, social, ethical and medical implications at stake," she said in a press release.

"IVF treatment is a very delicate subject that has to be discussed in a serene environment that balances the heartache childless couples face with the sensitive ethical issues connected with embryos' rights."

Coleiro Preca is concerned by the hostility, which "unfortunately is emanating from these public debates and is appealing for calm and a longer period of reflection to enable voices to be heard."

In light of this, Coleiro Preca is offering to mediate, inviting parliamentarians, civil society and all stakeholders to come together around a table to have an informed debate that fuses the ethical and moral considerations with scientific expertise for a law that fully reflects the medical potential, and its positive and negative implications for society.

The Life Network Foundation Malta in a statement agreed with the President for there to be a longer period of reflection, so that opinions on the proposed government amendments can be heard.

They said that it does not make sense to turn our children into objects, and spoke of the need to pay attention to the rights of children born through these procedures.