title: Posthumous reproduction with surplus in vitro fertilization embryos: a study exploring users' choices.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report results of analysis of in vitro fertilization (IVF) users' choices regarding the potential use of their surplus cryopreserved embryos for posthumous assisted reproduction (PAR).
  
  
  METHODS
  Examination of signed consent forms.
  
  
  METHODS
  Public IVF clinic.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 498 individuals who had signed consent forms for cryopreservation of surplus embryos.
  
  
  METHODS
  Content analysis of consent form.
  
  
  METHODS
  Agreement to PAR; importance of appropriate counseling within the consent process.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Approximately 68% of individuals consented to the use of surplus embryos for embryologist training and improvement of assisted reproductive techniques, and 56% consented to the use of surplus embryos in a research project; 73.5% of men and 61.8% of women agreed to leave their cryopreserved embryos to their partners for reproductive use in the event of their death.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results demonstrate that a majority of both men and women agree to leave their frozen embryos to their partners for PAR in a "real life" context, i.e., in which they were required to provide consent for this prospective option. PAR involves complex issues, including the psychologic aspects of initiating a pregnancy while mourning the loss of a loved one or the effect on the prospective child. We argue that in light of the acceptability of PAR-as demonstrated by our results-further research is required regarding how to best counsel and inform IVF users about the choices they are making in this context, to ensure that their consent for PAR is in fact well informed.
authors.affiliation: Service de médecine génique, Département de médecine, Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Programmes de bioéthique, Département de médecine sociale et préventive, École de santé publique de l'Université de Montréal, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
authors.forename: Stéphanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Côté
authors.affiliation: Programmes de bioéthique, Département de médecine sociale et préventive, École de santé publique de l'Université de Montréal, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
authors.forename: Aliya-Oulaya
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Affdal
authors.affiliation: Clinique de procréation assistée et fertilité, Département de gynécologie, Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
authors.forename: Isaac-Jacques
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Kadoch
authors.affiliation: Service de médecine génique, Département de médecine, Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Département de médecine, Faculté de médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
authors.forename: Pavel
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hamet
authors.affiliation: Programmes de bioéthique, Département de médecine sociale et préventive, École de santé publique de l'Université de Montréal, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada. Electronic address: vardit.ravitsky@umontreal.ca.
authors.forename: Vardit
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ravitsky
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001755:Blastocyst; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D037001:Directive Counseling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D033182:Intention; D008297:Male; D057240:Patient Preference / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D037022:Posthumous Conception / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011792:Quebec; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: Embryos; IVF; counseling; posthumous assisted reproduction consent