The TMID 5 January issue referred to my decision to use the ill-timed raise in the MPs’ salary to contribute to the Stefano Borgonovo Foundation (there is as yet no treatment for ALS and patients without hope have often resorted to euthanasia) and to set up a fund to create incentives for infertile couples to use all frozen embryos created here in Malta - the latter only following legislation, thus making my contribution obviously depend on circumstances.

Having chaired the Assisted Procreation Committee from February to October which heard all experts namely Prof Mark Brincat, Dr Luca Gianaroli, Dr Paul Soler and Ms Simone Attard  converge along with the Child Commissioner on the inevitable freezing of a predetermined minimal number of embryos to avoid the mortality and morbidity of multiple pregnancy, this was a responsibility a politician should shoulder. Only recently a 24-week baby died 24 hours after birth in an IVF triplet pregnancy, the two siblings having died earlier in their mother’s womb.

As only 20% get pregnant when two embryos are introduced, the other 80% obviously use the other two frozen embryos. Out of the 20% - not all go through - if the couple feel hard up with a singleton or twins, this is where fiscal incentives come in. Then there is also the other strong demand for adoption, all in all avoiding the stockpiling of frozen embryos in Malta.

Obviously all this is in order because the freezing of ova is still being researched in mice and who is infertile and resorts to IVF is usually nearing menopausal age.

Needless to say the Committee did not consider suggestions tantamount to abortion like pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) and selective single embryo transfer (SET).

While the most recent Church document Dignitas Personae finds the whole IVF process, freezing of embryos and gametes included, as morally unacceptable, PGD and SET are described as abortive. Not so embryo freezing.

It was Einstein who had remarked that science limps without religion but when not scientific religion is blind! Idealism is absolute but in medical practice matters have to be factual. But the Committee was comforted by Prof Peter Serracino Inglott’s 2005 reassurance that the state should not legalise against embryo freezing.   

In 25 years of medical practice I have never ever advised or been in any way involved in any abortive procedure - not even recommending the coil or the morning after pill for that matter.

So please, be it Bishops or Gift of Life, stop barking at the wrong tree!

Jean-Pierre Farrugia MD, MP

Valletta