Madam, - 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, he said that because of the lack of agreement among doctors and scientists as to when life began, in-vitro embryos deserved of special respect, but not the rights accorded the human person. He went on to say that in-vitro embryos had a "precarious existence".
In fact there is no doubt among scientists, 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 preimplanted embryo. Indeed, is this protection not implicit in the Irish version, which takes precedence in relation to interpretation "Admhaíonn an Stát ceart na mbeo 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.
To reiterate: firstly, human life begins at fertilisation and, secondly, there is a need in legislation to protect pre-implanted embryos, however conceived. We hope the Oireachtas will not fail its responsibility. - Yours, etc,
Prof EAMON O'DWYER, Chairman,
Dr ANN BARRY, Honorary Secretary, Irish Catholic Doctors' Association, Raheny, Dublin 5.