New members of Embryo Protection Authority announced

A new Embryo Protection Authority was set up today following the dissolution of the previous authority that had been set up in January. The new authority is chaired by former judge Philip Sciberras and its other members are family therapist Simone Attard, paediatrician Patrick Sammut, psychotherapist Mariella Meachen and psychologist Pauline Baldachhino. Health Minister Godfrey Farrugia said he felt the need to dissolve the previous authority because one of its members, whom he did not want to name, had a conflict of interest. The said member had been identified as gynaecologist Albert Scerri. The minister said that even though he had a lot of respect for this person, he felt there could not be gynaecologists or obstetricians on such an authority because people in these professions would be doing most of the vetting. Asked why were the other four members also removed, the minister said he felt the board had not functioned according to law so it had to be completely replaced.