Establishment of a successful donor embryo program: medical, ethical, and policy issues.
OBJECTIVE
To determine how couples prefer to dispose of their extra embryos and to establish a donor embryo program for the treatment of infertile couples.


METHODS
Cohort study.


METHODS
University-based IVF program.


METHODS
Patients (n = 365) with cryopreserved embryos in storage for >2 years and eight patients who desired donated embryos for transfer.


METHODS
An IVF ethics committee was formed to discuss the ethical and policy issues involved in starting an embryo donation program and to establish program guidelines. Couples with embryos cryopreserved for > or = 2 years were contacted to determine their desires for disposition of embryos. Potential recipients of donated embryos were identified in our clinic, and donated embryos were transferred to these patients.


METHODS
Desires for embryo disposition and pregnancy rates.


RESULTS
Most couples elected either to continue storage of their embryos for future use (44%) or to discard their embryos (34%). A minority elected to donate their embryos either to infertile couples (11%) or for research (10%). Eight couples have had donated embryos transferred, and four have conceived ongoing pregnancies.


CONCLUSIONS
Although only a small percentage of couples are willing to donate their embryos, the resulting number of embryos for use is substantial. Transfer of donated embryos results in a high pregnancy rate and is a cost-effective treatment of infertility.
Van Voorhis
B J
BJ
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City, USA. brad-van-voorhis@uiowa.edu
Grinstead
D M
DM
Sparks
A E
AE
Gerard
J L
JL
Weir
R F
RF
D015331:Cohort Studies; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D015925:Cryopreservation; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000191:economics / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D014019:Tissue Donors