SOURCE: Cynthia Balana
MANILA, Philippines—The umbrella organization of doctors in the country has reaffirmed its stand that life begins at fertilization, after one of its members had said otherwise at a hearing on the reproductive health bill in Congress.
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MANILA, Philippines—The umbrella organization of doctors in the country has reaffirmed its stand that life begins at fertilization, after one of its members had said otherwise at a hearing on the reproductive health bill in Congress.
Philippine Medical Association (PMA) president Dr. Oscar Tinio, in a letter to Biliran Rep. Rogelio Espina Jr., chair of the House committee on population and family relations, said that Dr. Santiago del Rosario, who appeared at the hearing as a resource speaker, was not authorized to speak on behalf of the association.
Tinio said the PMA only learned of Del Rosario’s December 16 appearance at the House of Representatives after the fact.
“Had the PMA been officially invited to the hearing, we could have sent an official representative authorized to speak on the subject matter,” said Tinio, who fired off the letter on the same day.
Tinio stressed that only he, as PMA president, or his duly authorized representative was allowed to issue official statements on behalf of the organization, especially on the reproductive health issue.
A debate on the question of when human life begins dominated the third public hearing on the controversial reproductive health bill.
Tinio said the PMA shared the Catholic Church view on the “beginning of life”—that it occurred at the moment of fertilization.
Tinio said the specialty societies in the PMA—including the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society and the Philippine Society of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility—had made it clear that human life began at fertilization, when the ovum and sperm unite to form an embryo.
Quoting from the Ethical Guidelines in Obstetrical and Gynecological Practice and the Ethics of Reproductive and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Tinio said “the zygote, pre-embryo or embryo are already considered unique human beings and are therefore entitled to full moral support as that of an adult.”
He said the PMA offered its scientific and medical expertise on the reproductive health issue to both the government and the Church.
“We are just waiting to be invited. So far, only the Catholic Church officially consulted us on the matter,” he said.
“Medical doctors are major stakeholders and front-liners in the reproductive health and wellness of our nation. As the experts in this field we should be consulted on policies concerning reproductive health,” he said.
Tinio said the PMA only learned of Del Rosario’s December 16 appearance at the House of Representatives after the fact.
“Had the PMA been officially invited to the hearing, we could have sent an official representative authorized to speak on the subject matter,” said Tinio, who fired off the letter on the same day.
Tinio stressed that only he, as PMA president, or his duly authorized representative was allowed to issue official statements on behalf of the organization, especially on the reproductive health issue.
A debate on the question of when human life begins dominated the third public hearing on the controversial reproductive health bill.
Tinio said the PMA shared the Catholic Church view on the “beginning of life”—that it occurred at the moment of fertilization.
Tinio said the specialty societies in the PMA—including the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society and the Philippine Society of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility—had made it clear that human life began at fertilization, when the ovum and sperm unite to form an embryo.
Quoting from the Ethical Guidelines in Obstetrical and Gynecological Practice and the Ethics of Reproductive and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Tinio said “the zygote, pre-embryo or embryo are already considered unique human beings and are therefore entitled to full moral support as that of an adult.”
He said the PMA offered its scientific and medical expertise on the reproductive health issue to both the government and the Church.
“We are just waiting to be invited. So far, only the Catholic Church officially consulted us on the matter,” he said.
“Medical doctors are major stakeholders and front-liners in the reproductive health and wellness of our nation. As the experts in this field we should be consulted on policies concerning reproductive health,” he said.
