د . إAEDSRر . س

Malta Updates Legal Definition Of Eugenics In New IVF Law

Article Featured Image

Malta’s proposed new IVF legislation, which will allow couples to test embryos for serious genetic conditions, includes an update to the legal definition of eugenics. 

The current law, known as the Embryo Protection Act, states that anyone “who selects or discards an embryo for eugenic purposes” shall be liable to a fine of between €5,000 and €15,000 and/or imprisonment of up to three years. 

However, the bill being discussed in Parliament proposes adding the following proviso to the law: 

“Provided that the Protocol may specify that certain exceptional circumstances shall not constitute selection of embryos for eugenic purposes”.

The protocol, issued by the Embryo Protection Authority, allows pre-implantation genetic testing for monogenic diseases (PGTM) for the following nine conditions.

•Finnish Nephrotic Syndrome
•Gangliosidosis
•Huntington Disease
•Joubert Syndrome
•Maple Syrup Urine Syndrome
•Nemaline Myopathy
•Spinal Muscular Atrophy
•Tay-Sachs Disease
•Walker-Warburg Syndrome

Prospective parents who wish to add new conditions to the list will have to ask a licensed PGTM clinic to apply to the Embryo Protection Authority on their behalf.

Health Minister Chris Fearne with Embryo Protection Authority CEO Simone Cachia (Photo: Embryo Protection Authority)

Health Minister Chris Fearne with Embryo Protection Authority CEO Simone Cachia (Photo: Embryo Protection Authority)

The EPA will have to consider several factors, including the severity of the condition, the likelihood of it being inherited and the testimony of people affected by the condition, before deciding whether or not to approve it for PGTM testing.

The protocol specifically states that “PGTM shall not be allowed for the selection of embryos for eugenic purposes”, presumably ruling out the use of this technology to select embryos based on the physical appearance of the people they will develop into. 

Embryos that have been found to have a gene that will develop a serious disease cannot be discarded but will instead be cryopreserved in a dedicated storage facility in the faint hope that they will one day be adopted.

These embryos will only be placed for adoption once effective treatment for the disease has been found.

PL president Ramona Attard and PL MP Naomi Cachia address a press conference

PL president Ramona Attard and PL MP Naomi Cachia address a press conference

Addressing a press conference today, PL president Ramona Attard and PL MP Naomi Cachia ripped into the Opposition for pledging to vote against the law, accusing it of scaremongering and refusing to embrace change.

Attard noted that the PN’s last electoral manifesto had proposed extending state funding of IVF, including for couples who need to to travel overseas for treatment. 

“PGTM is an IVF process for which couples currently need to travel overseas to receive, but the PN is opposing its introduction to Malta,” she said. “[Opposition Leader] Bernard Grech goes wherever the wind blows… [while] we want to put an end to these times where certain IVF processes are only available to those who can afford it.” 

Cover photo: Stock image 

Do you agree with the new IVF bill?

READ NEXT: Rescue Mission For Maltese Dog That Fell Into Abandoned Well Ends With Relieved Owner

Tim is interested in the rapid evolution of human society and is passionate about justice, human rights and cutting-edge political debates. You can follow him on Instagram or Twitter/X at @timdiacono or reach out to him at [email protected]

You may also love

View All