GESTIÓN EN SALUD PÚBLICA: Malta debates IVF

domingo, 13 de mayo de 2018

Malta debates IVF

Malta debates IVF

by Xavier Symons | 12 May 2018 |

The predominantly Catholic country of Malta is debating legislation that would liberalise its restrictive IVF laws and legalise altruistic surrogacy.

The Embryo Protection (Amendment) Bill, which seeks to amend the 2012 Embryo Protection Act, has been fiercely debated in parliament, with critics saying that it fails to protect human embryos. Nationalist MP Simon Busuttil, who addressed parliament during a second reading of the bill, said that the proposed legislation was unnecessary and potentially demeaning for women. Summarising his speech, he said:

“...I am against embryo freezing because, in oocyte vitrification, we already have a viable alternative that does not pose ethical pitfalls...I am against surrogacy which, all feminists agree, amounts to nothing short of exploitation of women. In fact, surrogacy is being banned in countries like Sweden regardless of whether it is commercial or altruistic”.

Proponents of the bill say that changes are necessary to increase the likelihood of success of IVF. Current restrictions on IVF procedures, such a prohibition on embryo freezing, have led to low success rates.

A vote by division has been set for 23 May, after which the Bill will go to the committee stage. Health Minister Chris Fearne emphasised the government was open to continuing the discussion and putting in place certain changes.

Sunday, May 13, 2018

“Death with dignity” or “aid in dying” is gathering pace in the United States, now that Hawaii has joined the list of states which permit it. Some of the most important input in the debate comes from medical associations. The American  Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine  has adopted a position of “studied neutrality”. But how does the American Medical Association stand?

According to a recent decision by its Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs, squarely against it. Below we report that in a little-noticed report, it endorses many of the arguments raised against assisted suicide: "dying with dignity" is a misnomer; it is probably not safe; and it could lead to a slippery slope. It's a very interesting read -- along with all of our other articles. Check them out.