Watch: Abela Pledges Further IVF Reforms – ‘We Haven’t Done Enough Yet’
Prime Minister Robert Abela pledged to improve Malta’s IVF law to allow more couples to become parents.
Interviewed by John Bundy yesterday, Abela pointed out that, despite numerous changes to Malta’s legislation over the years, several couples are still forced to go overseas to undergo IVF treatment.
“We haven’t done enough yet,” he said. “Science exists which allows more couples to become parents but the reality is that Maltese couples are forced to go to Spain, Greece and Belgium to become parents, all because of philosophical arguments. If there is resistance to further reforms, I want to overcome it.”
The most recent update to IVF laws was back in 2022, when the government legalised the genetic testing of embryos for certain serious hereditary conditions. Back then, three PN MPs – current leader Alex Borg, former leadership contestant Adrian Delia and MP Ivan Bartolo – voted against this reform on ethical grounds.
Abela questioned how the Opposition can complain about Malta’s low fertility rate when Borg had voted against IVF reform as a result of “philosophical arguments”.
He dismissed arguments that the discarding of embryos which have tested positive for serious genetic conditions could open the door to the legalisation of abortion.
“IVF is science that promotes life and PGT (preimplantation genetic testing) is a scientific tool that gives opportunities to Maltese couples, who currently have to undergo treatment overseas because of all these moralistic and philosophical arguments.”
“These sorts of arguments are usually promoted by people who don’t have fertility problems themselves – they’re comfortable and see it as someone else’s problem.”
Abela admitted that further IVF reforms could prove controversial but said he doesn’t want to ignore them for the sake of personal and political convenience.
“I could choose to sweep these reforms under a rug and focus instead on issues that might win me more votes, but would that be the behaviour of a leader promoting the interests of families or of someone who leads by convenience?”
“I cannot ignore those couples who still cannot become parents in Malta even though we strengthened our IVF legislation.”
Cover photo: Partit Laburista
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