Nationalist Party leader Bernard Grech said on Sunday that he trusted parents to make the right decisions when it comes to the topic of IVF genetic testing. 

He explained how during last week, the PN proposed the introduction of what is known as Polar body testing, after taking into consideration the opinions of several medical professionals. 

Polar body testing allows genetic testing to take place on an unfertilized egg coming from the woman, a method which Grech said will decrease the number of eggs which need to be frozen. 

“Whoever wants to become a parent now will have two options, PGT-M or the Polar body testing, which is a less invasive test, as it only happens on the egg of the woman,” he said. 

Speaking about the latest IVF amendment laws, he said that these are the second cycle of amendments for these laws after they were first introduced by a PN government back in 2012. 

The PN leader explained that a vote in favour came after the PN worked to get different professional opinions on the subject, which led to several proposals with the main ones focusing on ‘controlling abuse.’ 

Delving into the subject he explained that future changes to the present nine genetic conditions listed on the IVF laws, will only be permitted through a legal notice, meaning that there can be proper discussions in parliament, if they were ever to become effective. 

He added that it is not correct for people to spread misinformation such as that these tests are going to be allowed for everyone who has a disability or that this is an abortion, when there are scrutiny tests in place. 

“The beginning of life; we are obliged to protect the ones without a voice,” he said. 

The vote was the topic of controversy during the week, not necessarily due to its content, but also due to the fact that three PN MPs – former leader Adrian Delia, Alex Borg, and Ivan Bartolo – broke ranks with the party line and voted against it.  A fourth MP – Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici – said that he too would have voted against the Bill, but couldn’t because he was quarantined at home with Covid-19. 

Grech made no mention of the decision taken by these MPs during his short interview on party media, or on whether they will face any consequences for breaking from the party line. 

Asked to comment on why the PN felt the need to vote against a resolution granting land in Smart City to Sadeen Group, who are behind the American University of Malta, Grech said that it is not fair that the university owners are awarded for another failed project.

The resolution, which passed after backing from the government, saw Sadeen renounce its emphyteusis on part of its Cospicua campus and the land it had been given at Zonqor Point, Marsascala, in exchange for a site in Smart City, Kalkara. 

The PN has insisted that the government is granting land worth €63 million to Sadeen for the measly cost of €15,000. 

“This is just another instance where a Labour government has tried to sell us a dream which ultimately turned out to be another failed project,” Grech said. 

Grech said that it is also not fair that such land is being sold at a much cheaper price than the estimated value of €63 million, when there are many youths who cannot even afford to buy their own property. 

Turning to another vote in Parliament from last week, Grech said that the PL’s vote in favour of a law allowing music to be played till 1am rather than 11pm, shows how much “they do not respect anyone, especially those who live in Valletta, have businesses or have bought property in the capital city.” 

He added that currently Valletta residents are very anxious and feel like they are not being heard. 

Grech also questioned from where the government took its supposedly informed opinions since even the MHRA – which represents restaurants and hoteliers – and the MDA – which represents developers – have spoken against the legal notice.