University students’ perceptions on embryo freezing and their general understanding of science

Abstract

Embryo freezing is a medical procedure which can permit infertile couples to have children, and it is currently not permissible in Malta. However, a recent call to legalize embryo freezing has given rise to a vigorous debate. This research studies perceptions of embryo freezing amongst students at the University of Malta. The sample consisted of 76 participants. An online questionnaire was distributed, measuring attitudes towards regenerative medicine, trust in science, scientific education, religiosity and the moral status of the embryo. Bivariate analyses demonstrated a number of significant relationships with negative perceptions of embryo freezing. Subsequent multiple regression models revealed that these negative perceptions are only predicted by religiosity and regenerative medicine. This study demonstrates the importance of distinguishing between religiosity (understood as a combination of religious belief and religious practice) and religious affiliation apropos attitudes towards embryo freezing. The possibility that religiosity acts as a moderator is expressed but left undetermined in this study. The implications of these findings and the limitations of this study are discussed at length.