IVF Reform Comes Into Law With Acting President Stepping In For Reluctant George Vella
Malta’s Acting President has stepped in to sign and approve amendments to the IVF law, weeks after President George Vella delayed doing so over his personal position.
Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne announced the news in a tweet today. Vella left the country earlier today with University Rector Frank Bezzina assuming the role immediately.
The legal notice will be published later this week.
Vella refused to sign the new piece of legislation, which will allow genetic testing prior to implantation and was approved a few weeks ago. It has proven to be controversial in staunchly pro-life circles and it appears that Vella was reluctant to sign the law himself.
The new IVF legislation will allow couples to test embryos for serious genetic conditions.
If the bill passes into law, prospective parents will be allowed to screen their embryos prior to implantation. It will be limited to prospective parents with a history of serious monogenic disorders, such as gangliosidosis, Huntington’s Disease and Finnish Nephrotic Syndrome.
Illum l-Uffiċċju tal-President iffirma l-liġi l-ġdida tal-#IVF wara li aktar kmieni dan ix-xahar il-Parlament approvaha b’maġġoranza kbira. Din il-ġimgha stess nippubblikaw l-Avviż Legali bil-protokol aġġornat 🇲🇹
— Chris Fearne (@chrisfearne) July 27, 2022
What do you think of the President’s refusal to sign?
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