A Statement by Cana Movement about embryo freezing

The Cana Movement firmly believes that the implementation of embryo freezing will lead to the legalisation of abortion. Human life begins at conception and should be treated with respect and dignity from the moment of conception. Embryo freezing is incompatible with the dignity and respect which human life deserves.  It is evident that in countries where embryo freezing has been introduced, human life is often discarded as embryos are manipulated and destroyed. If frozen embryos can be justifiably discarded outside the womb, the next step is to justify abortion of the unborn child within the womb.

The Cana Movement is sensitive to the desire of couples to bear and rear children and they should be supported in this noble desire.  The current Embryo Protection Act favours assistance to infertile couples. Children are gifts and not entitlements. IFV policies should therefore not relegate the rights of the unborn child to the desire to bear children, no matter how noble that desire may be. The balance between the rights of the unborn child and the interests of infertile couples is currently struck by an Embryo Protection Act which allows freezing of as yet unfertilised female ova but not embryo freezing. That balance should not be disturbed to the detriment of the unborn child. The results of the current IFV programme compare well to the results obtained in countries where the freezing or destruction of embryos is allowed.

The Cana Movement appeals to civil society and to politicians of goodwill from both sides of the political spectrum to take a stand against embryo freezing and in favour of the unborn child, both within and outside the womb.