Adrian Delia has come out against genetic testing of embryos despite PN leader Bernard Grech’s claims that the party would vote in favour of the proposed changes. 

“A test on an unfertilised female egg would not put anyone’s life in danger. Genetic testing on embryos would,” Delia wrote on social media. 

Delia’s comments came after Grech told a radio interview that the party would vote in favour of proposed reforms to IVF legislation.

“Whether it’s tomorrow or any other day, I will vote according to my conscience,” Delia told Lovin Malta when asked whether he will vote against the bill.

Malta’s new IVF law will introduce the concept of PGT-M, allowing prospective parents with a history of the hereditary disease to screen their embryos prior to implantation.

While the likes of the UK utilise this same technology to scan embryos for hundreds of conditions, including Down’s Syndrome, cystic fibrosis and Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease, Malta will initially limit it to nine serious monogenic disorders, including gangliosidosis and Huntington’s Disease.

However, the nine disorders aren’t laid out in the law but in a protocol issued by the Embryo Protection Authority, which will be able to update the list if it receives a request by a PGT-M clinic on behalf of a prospective parent.

Embryos found with one of these conditions will be cryopreserved and will be offered to the parents or put up for adoption if and when an effective treatment is found.

Grech has faced criticism from other voices in the party for u-turning on the proposal and backtracking on the party’s initial opposition to the reform.