I refer to the letter from Fr Peter Serracino Inglott published in your columns (TMIS, 17 December) and write on behalf of the production team of the NET television programme Doksa.
Fr Peter refers to excerpts of the recorded interview that we broadcast on Doksa of 7 December and remarks that it is odd that we omitted his comment regarding the respect owed to the living human organism ( termed the blastocyst) which is to be found in the mother’s womb in the first 14 days of pregnancy, ie prior to it becoming a ‘“person” in the ordinary sense of the word, as per his definition of terms.
While we regret any displeasure possibly caused, the production team of Doksa feels that this sentiment, as well as the essence of Fr Peter’s views on this matter, emerges clearly in the main sequence we broadcast. Further, we feel that the omitted comment would not have altered this representation of opinion, had it been shown.
The relevant text in the main sequence is as follows: “…wiehed jista jsostni li , fil-fatt, dak il-bniedem huwa hemm biss potenzjalment. Mintix certament qieghed teqred il-hajja ta’ dik ic-cellula, sempliciment qieghed tindirizzha biex tizviluppha f’haga ohra li mhix bniedem..huwa dubjuz hafna jekk dan ghandux jigi eskluz…il-knisja bhas-soltu tghid li m’ghandux wiehed jaghmilha din il-haga, jien personalment nahseb li galadarba f’dan il-kaz hemm vantaggi kbar…li jistghu jaghmlu differenza enormi ghall-kwalità ghall-hajja ta’ persuna, allura tista’ tiehu certu riskju.”
We considered that this excerpt makes it clear that Fr Peter considers that the living human organism that exists prior to becoming “a person” cannot be destroyed, which implies it should be treated “with respect”. Furthermore, he states that to direct the (stem) cells of that organism towards the creation of an organism rather than a normal human being is certainly not to destroy it. He is clear, on the programme as well as in his letter, when he states that his position on this matter is different to that of the Catholic Church.
Alan Delia