Wham received a request from one of our readers to find out more about reproductive technologies available for lesbian couples and the policies surrounding these opportunities. So, we contacted Ms. Simone Attard the Executive Director of the Embryo Protection Authority to update us with the latest regulations and information and to tell us what’s available for couples or single persons trying to conceive.
Can you tell us more about the current practices and policies in place for couples wanting to start a family in this manner – using reproductive technologies.
The Embryo Protection Act came into force on the 1st of January 2013 with the Embryo Protection Authority established by the same Act as the Regulatory Authority. The Act was amended to include other services on the 1st October 2018.
Among the functions of the Authority (EPA):
- to ensure that high standards of ethics are maintained by all professionals involved in procedures of medically assisted procreation and gamete donation;
- to carry out inspections in order to ensure that the standards of best practice are being respected and implemented, and that all the information and documentation required under the Act are being kept appropriately and for this purpose the Authority is authorised to access clinics and other places as necessary;
- to keep a register of every medically assisted procreation procedure, germ line cell donation, cryopreservation of germ line cells, cryopreservation of embryos and embryo donation and adoption in terms of the Act.
What is available to couples at the moment and where would one need to start from to avail themselves of these services?
As of 2015 IVF (In-vitro fertilisation) and ICSI (intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection) have been offered for free on the NHS to couples who meet the eligibility criteria. These services are also offered from another private licenced tissue establishment in Malta.
As of 1st October 2018, embryo cryopreservation became legal in Malta and is allowed under the EPA Act. The ART licenced clinics apply with the Authority to have a Maximum of five oocytes fertilised. Once permission is granted two embryos are transferred into the prospective parent and the remaining embryos cryopreserved to be used up to maximum age of 48. If those embryos are not utilised by the prospective parent they will be given up for adoption as per the Embryo Protection Act.
In April 2019 IUI (intra uterine insemination) with own gametes was also introduced at MDH ART Clinic, this is also being offered in the private sector by 9 other clinics registered with the Authority.
MDH ART Clinic has also been licensed for Known Direct (local) Donation of non-partner gametes (sperm and oocytes) in 2019, however to date no requests have been made for direct donation neither through IUI nor IVF.
In May 2020 a licence has been issued to the MDH ART Clinic for the non-partner sperm distribution from abroad, to be used in open donation (identity release of donor at the child reaching age of majority if s/he only requests it). These can be used in both IUI and IVF.
Discussions are presently ongoing for the distribution of non partner oocyte gametes from abroad also in open donation.
Also are these reproductive technologies only available for couples or can single persons either male or female apply for let’s say embryo adoption?
As per the Embryo Protection Act, prospective parents are defined as any person regardless of gender or sexual orientation, who has attained the age of majority and is a receiver or user of the medically assisted procreation techniques.
Thus all reproductive technologies services are provided to single women, heterosexual couples, lesbian couples and single male who need cryopreservation of sperm.
Services are also offered to persons who require fertility preservation prior to oncology treatment or any other medical procedures that might interfere with their fertility.
The Authority also grants permissions for the cryopreservation of gametes to Transgender persons, prior to starting hormone therapy and or surgical gender re-assignment
Permissions by the Authority are also granted for social cryopreservation. (women who wish to preserve their oocytes at a young age to use later on in life).
The Authority also grants permissions for the distribution of cryopreserved embryos from abroad, to prospective parents who prior to the coming into force of the Amendment Act on 1st October 2018, had cryopreserved embryos in tissues establishments abroad.
All the above services can be applied for by a simple referral from the prospective parent/s GP.
Have you made use of reproduction technologies in Malta? Share your experience with our readers…contact us or send us an email at [email protected]
Francesca Fenech Conti is passionate about social issues and has a BA in Social Policy. She is the Founder and creator of the women only facebook group Women for Women (Malta) and the Women for Women Foundation that works hand in hand with other NGOs and businesses to empower and support women, especially single mothers.
Francesca recently also launched Wham.com.mt to provide a much needed space on the local media scene to promote women’s voices and to provide women with a source of information regarding their general wellbeing.
Click here to check out Francesca’s full bio as well as a list of all her Wham published articles
