This week’s topic: Embryo Donation
Q: What is Embryo Donation?
A: Through the use of in vitro fertilization (IVF), thousands of couples have been able to have children. After they have completed their family building through IVF many of these couples find themselves with remaining embryos in frozen storage. Now they must determine the destiny of remaining embryos – often a difficult decision.
One option available to couples with remaining embryos is to donate them to another couple experiencing infertility. Embryo Donation is a positive experience for the donors, adopters and embryos. For the donating couple it is a life affirming way to resolve a challenging dilemma. For the adopting family it can be a long awaited opportunity to experience pregnancy, childbirth and parenting. For the embryos it is the chance to grow, be born and live in a loving family.
Q: If we used an anonymous egg or sperm donor when we created our embryos, can we still place them for adoption?
A: If the contract you signed with the donor does not specify that eggs or sperm are for your personal reproductive use only, you can place the embryos with another family. FDA rules and regulations need to be followed. In addition, you will also need to provide any information you have about the donor.
Q: Does the age of the embryos (date frozen) affect our ability to place them for adoption?
A: No, there have been no definitive studies proving how long embryos can stay frozen and remain viable. There have been successful pregnancies with embryos that have been frozen for up to 20 years.
Q: Are there any benefits of donating embryos through an adoption agency?
A: ‘Embryo adoption’ programs treat the process as just that – an adoption. This means the same protections and guidelines set in place for traditional adoption – home studies, legal contracts, post-adoption support and education – are applied to the embryo recipient/adopter. This process protects the donor. It provides information about the family receiving their embryos and allows both couples to have input regarding how much communication there will be between the families following the exchange of the embryos.
To learn more about Embryo Donation and Adoption please visit www.EmbryoAdoption.org.
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