What to do with unused embryos. What are my options?

During the process of IVF more embryos may be created than will be used.  Once the individuals involved have determined that they will not use the additional embryos themselves, they are faced with the challenge of what to do with them.  Their options, depending on their state of residence and the policies of their clinic, include:

• Continue to maintain them in storage indefinitely

It is currently unknown whether the length of time embryos have been frozen will affect their viability, although improvements in freezing and thawing protocols used may result in greater longevity for embryos frozen in the last ten years. Embryo cryopreservation did not become commonplace until the late 1980s, and most often after such a length of time, couples do not attempt to utilize them.   Embryo survival rates after thawing, and rates of successful pregnancy, may also vary depending on the stage at which they were frozen.  Theoretically, it is possible that cryopreserved embryos may remain viable beyond the lifetime of the donors, however it is also possible that the decision to maintain embryos in storage indefinitely may eventually become a passive decision for disposal.

• Thaw and don’t use (or transfer in a way that is unlikely or impossible to result in pregnancy)

Some couples with unused embryos are not comfortable donating them to another family or to research, yet do not want to continue incurring storage fees. They may choose to have them thawed and disposed of by their clinic. Most clinics will require the couple to sign a release form prior to disposal.  Some clinics may allow the couple to take the embryos home after thawing, for private disposition.

Some couples prefer to have their embryos thawed and transferred into the woman’s vagina. It is impossible for a woman to get pregnant this way, since a fertilized egg cannot move from the vagina to the uterus as sperm do. The embryos will end their life cycle in the same manner that occurs during any unassisted cycle when a fertilized egg does not implant (i.e., it moves out of the uterus through the cervix into the vagina, and passes from the woman’s body during her menstrual period).

A variant of this procedure is for the embryos to be transferred to the woman’s uterus at a time during her menstrual cycle when it is unlikely for her to become pregnant. This procedure is sometimes referred to as “Compassionate Transfer.”

Options regarding final disposition of embryos will vary depending upon the policy of the clinic and the laws in your state.

• Donate them to scientific research

Some people feel that embryonic stem cell research holds the key to curing many diseases, and choose to donate their embryos to scientific research.  Embryonic stem cells are unique cells that can develop into any other cell in the body.  Embryonic stem cell research being conducted with federal funding can currently only be performed on a limited number of stem cell lines, all of which existed prior to August 9, 2001.  Federally funded embryonic stem cell research is conducted under strict regulatory oversight.  However, privately funded research does not operate under these restrictions, and some states are now beginning to fund stem-cell research as well.

Some couples choose to donate their unused embryos to their IVF laboratory’s quality assurance program, in order to help the lab train employees and improve the services provided to other infertile couples.

• Donate them to someone else who wants to conceive (Embryo Donation)

Embryo Donation is a compassionate and caring option that helps someone else build their family. Embryos can be donated anonymously, or donors can personally select the recipients (known donation). This website contains information on both options, as well as a database of waiting recipients.

What is Embryo Donation?  How does it differ from Embryo Adoption?

Embryo Donation and Embryo Adoption are similar concepts, and sometimes the terms are used interchangeably.  Both refer to the giving and receiving of fertilized eggs (embryos) that are created during an In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) cycle.

Embryo donation can provide the opportunity to assist others who want to conceive by donating available embryos and giving someone else the chance to start or add to their own family.

Frequently, organizations using the term “embryo adoption” treat the donation as a traditional adoption, and may require home studies, lengthy application processes, and costly up-front fees.  From a legal perspective, the terminology “adoption” implies that a child has already been born and is being placed into a family. In the case of embryo donation, the child will be born into the family, with the recipient couple being named on the birth certificate as parents. Like the donation of sperm or unfertilized eggs, embryo donation is a way of helping someone else conceive. In most states, embryo donation is legally handled as a transfer of private property, and medically handled as a donation of cells or tissue. A poll conducted by Harris Interactive indicates that, “respondents overwhelming think the term ’embryo donation,’ as opposed to ’embryo adoption,’ best describes this process.” (Embryo Donation Research: Select Findings, August 21, 2003)

Miracles Waiting, feels that embryo donation more accurately describes the process of giving and receiving embryos, and chooses to use this terminology.

This page was written based on the personal experiences of individuals, and information gathered regarding the process of Embryo Donation in the United States. Nothing contained herein should be construed as constituting medical or legal advice.  Miracles Waiting, does not guarantee that all of the information provided herein is accurate or up-to-date. Furthermore, procedures and practices can vary greatly from clinic to clinic and state to state. For this reason, we suggest that you verify all of the information provided with your physician, attorney, or other applicable professional.