The gift of life can be the reward for donated embryos
(wz) When IVF began 25 years or so ago, the aim was to help women to have babies. It was not the intention to create excess embryos, but this is now a routine consequence of IVF. There are hundreds of surplus embryos in frozen storage throughout the country, and the number is steadily increasing.
Although embryo research is an obvious option for surplus frozen embryos, this has proved to be a controversial and divisive issue. It seems everyone, including George Pell, has something to say about embryo research. However, there are two groups we don’t hear much from — people who have to make decisions about their spare embryos and those who would dearly love to get them.
According to Victorian law, embryos that are no longer required can be stored for a maximum of five years. Inevitably there comes a time when people who have completed IVF treatment must decide what to do with their surplus embryos.
In Australia, people are generally given three options for surplus embryos. They can choose between discarding their embryos, donating them to people who are infertile or donating their embryos to research. This last option became available in 2003.
Interviews with couples completing IVF show that many people agonise about what to do with their surplus embryos. These difficulties are underpinned by conflicts stemming from religious, social, emotional and moral factors.
Studies show that most people described not wanting to “waste” their surplus embryos. They wanted to “help people” by donating their embryos. However, in reality, this often proved too hard. more…
From: »The Age / Fairfax digital« (Australia)