Every embryo must be regarded as a person

IN the recent case involving three frozen embryos, Mr Justice Brian McGovern raised the fundamental question — when does human life begin?

Observing that it was not the function of the court to adjudicate between competing moral or religious beliefs, the judge stated that because of the lack of agreement among the medical and scientific community as to when life began, in-vitro embryos were deserving of special respect only, but not the rights accorded the human person. He added that in-vitro embryos had a “precarious existence”.

In fact, there is no doubt among the scientific community, including embryologists and other medical experts, worldwide. They maintain that human life begins at fertilisation. Hence, every human embryo, however conceived, has to be considered a human person from fertilisation and accorded the rights and dignity of personhood.

There is a need for ‘unborn’ to be clearly defined in law in order to confirm that Article 40.3.3. of the constitution protects the pre-implanted embryo.

Indeed, is this protection not implicit in the Irish version, which takes precedence in relation to interpretation: “Admhaionn an Stát ceart na mbeó gan breith chun a mbeatha” (the right to life of the ‘not born but living’).

In view of stem cell research, such clarification is necessary and urgent.

Hopefully, the Oireachtas will not fail its responsibility.

Prof Eamon O’Dwyer,

Chairman

Dr Ann Barry, Hon Sec

Irish Catholic Doctors’ Association

Raheny

Dublin 5

Ageless wonder

THE man’s voice is instantly recognisable. His energy and enthusiasm make a mockery of his 75 years. To someone like Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh, age is just a state of mind.

Thomas Studley

Orwell Road

Rathgar

Dublin 6