The Catholic Doctors' Association of Paraguay has expressed strong opposition to the 'National Assisted Reproduction Program (Pronara)' bill, which would provide state support for in vitro fertilization (IVF). In a public hearing held on September 1, the association claimed that the bill violates human dignity, and is immoral and unscientific.
Grounds for Opposition: Human Dignity, Public Health, and Scientific Alternatives
1. The Issue of Human Dignity: Respect for the Life of the Embryo The association pointed out that IVF is an act of creating human beings in a laboratory and subjecting embryos to genetic selection, freezing, or disposal. They emphasized that "each embryo is a unique human being who deserves the right to be respected from the moment of conception." They argued that this opens the door to the commercialization of human beings and could lead to surrogacy and genetic manipulation.
2. Public Health Inefficiency: Immoral Waste of Resources The association criticized state support for the costly IVF procedure as an immoral waste, especially when the healthcare system lacks even basic supplies. They argued that the budget should be focused on areas where it can be used more efficiently.
3. The Existence of Scientific Alternatives: Natural and Effective Treatments The association claimed that there are more effective and humane alternatives to IVF. They proposed "restorative reproductive medicine" as an alternative, explaining that it fundamentally treats the cause of infertility to enable natural pregnancy. They stated that this method leads to better outcomes for both parents and children.
Opposition Based on the Constitution and Christian Principles
The Catholic Doctors' Association reminded lawmakers of Paraguay's Christian roots and its national motto, "God, Homeland, and Family." They argued that the bill violates Article 54 of the Constitution, which specifies the rights and protection duties of children. The association emphasized that a fetus is also a person with dignity and rights, and that their rights should take precedence over a woman's reproductive rights. Therefore, they view this bill as an infringement upon a child's life, health, and the rights of the fetus.
The association urged the legislature to reject the bill and to discuss new family planning policies that respect human dignity. They also called on the Ministry of Childhood and Adolescence, the Child and Adolescent Ombudsman, and the judiciary to take measures to protect the life of the fetus.
National Congress Hearing: Ongoing Discussion on the Bill
Two bills are currently being debated in the National Congress. One is the 'National Assisted Reproduction Program (Pronara),' introduced by Mauricio Espínola and Hugo Meza. The other is 'Comprehensive Access to Assisted Reproductive Technologies in the Public Health System,' proposed by Miguel Del Puerto and Carlos M. López.
These bills aim to recognize infertility as a disease with social and emotional impacts and to ensure equal access to infertility diagnosis and treatment within the national healthcare system. However, with the strong opposition from the Catholic Doctors' Association, the passage of these bills is expected to be difficult. Further public hearings will be held to gather more opinions, and the debate is set to continue.
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