Deciding the fate of supernumerary frozen embryos: a survey of couples’ decisions and the factors influencing their choice

Donation of surplus frozen embryos for stem cell research or fertility treatment—Should medical professionals and healthcare institutions be allowed to exercise undue influence on the informed decision of their former patients?

“…Couples that have attained success in clinical assisted reproduction, and have no further desire to reproduce; are often faced with an agonizing dilemma of what to do with their surplus frozen embryos-whether to simply discard them, or donate either for scientific research or to other infertile couples [3,4].…”

“…In cases whereby former patients have decided to put their embryos to better use rather than simply discarding them, there appears to be an overwhelming preference for scientific research rather than the treatment of infertile couples [3][4][5]. Hammarberg and Tinney [3] reported that 48% of couples surveyed at an Australian fertility clinic donated their surplus embryos to stem cell research, in contrast to only 18% who donated for the treatment of other infertile couples.…”

“…Hammarberg and Tinney [3] reported that 48% of couples surveyed at an Australian fertility clinic donated their surplus embryos to stem cell research, in contrast to only 18% who donated for the treatment of other infertile couples. Similarly, Bangsboll et al [4] reported that more than half of former patients at a fertility clinic in Demark agreed to donation of their surplus outdated embryos for research, whereas less than one-third agreed to donation to other infertile couples.…”

“…This bias in choice could arise from the fact that most former patients are not psychologically comfortable in begetting unknown biological offspring, which is often visualized as siblings of their legitimate children [3][4][5][6]. In countries where donor anonymity has been abolished and disclosure is possible after children born of donated embryos have attained a certain age i.e.…”

Surgeons and scientists: Working together in embryo research

“…Studies both in the UK and elsewhere have demonstrated that patients are willing to help by donating surplus embryos for research including ES cell derivation [Bjuresten and Hovatte, 2003;Bangsboll et al, 2004;Choudhary et al, 2004;Parry, 2005;Hammarberg and Tinney, 2006;Haimes et al, 2008]. IVF clinicians are willing to take the responsibility for obtaining consent under the required regulation.…”