In-vitro fertilization

Abstract

After so much debate over the last couple of years on IVF, one cannot say the final word has been said. We have certainly driven ourselves into a cul de sac especially when authorities made relevant statements effectively halting the debate. Yet parliament still has an obligation to regulate a technology, which has been introduced into the country. Shying away certainly does no good; neither does deviating arguments only to issues on the status of the embryo. Admittedly, the failure of discussions on IVF have centred mostly around concerns for the embryo. One columnist asserted it was about 'embryocide', making allegations that we are not being charitable to the truth. Whilst embryocide is certainly a concern, it is not the main issue in IVF. Embryocide, if it occurs, can be stopped. The main problem is a conflicting issue between a morality of a cherished institution and the decision-making responsibility of our parliamentarians, who unfortunately did not engage in a fruitful discussion on how to legislate, other than a report made by the Parliamentary Committee for Social Affairs.