title: Factors associated with willingness to donate embryos for research among couples undergoing IVF.
abstract: Between 2011 and 2012, 213 heterosexual couples undergoing fertility treatments in a Portuguese public fertility centre were systematically recruited to assess factors associated with willingness to donate embryos for research. Data were collected by questionnaire. Most couples (87.3%; 95% CI 82.1 to 91.5) were willing to donate embryos for research, citing benefits for science, health and infertile patients. Almost all couples (94.3%; 95% CI 89.8 to 96.7) reached consensus about the decision. Willingness to donate was more frequent in women younger than 36 years (adjusted OR 3.06; 95% CI 1.23 to 7.61) and who considered embryo research to be very important (adjusted OR: 6.32; 95% CI 1.85 to 21.64), and in Catholic men (adjusted OR 4.16; 95% CI 1.53 to 11.30). Those unwilling to donate reported conceptualizing embryos as children or living beings and a lack of information or fears about embryo research. Men with higher levels of trait anxiety (adjusted OR 0.90; 95% CI 0.84 to 0.96) were less frequently willing to donate. Future research on embryo disposition decision-making should include the assessment of gender differences and psychosocial factors. Ethically robust policies and accurate information about the results of human embryo research are required.
authors.affiliation: EPIUnit, Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, Rua das Taipas 135, 4050-600 Porto, Portugal; Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Predictive Medicine and Public Health, University of Porto Medical School, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal. Electronic address: catarina.samorinha@ispup.up.pt.
authors.forename: Catarina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Samorinha
authors.affiliation: EPIUnit, Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, Rua das Taipas 135, 4050-600 Porto, Portugal; Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Predictive Medicine and Public Health, University of Porto Medical School, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Milton
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Severo
authors.affiliation: EPIUnit, Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, Rua das Taipas 135, 4050-600 Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Elisabete
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Alves
authors.affiliation: Centre for Social Studies, University of Coimbra, Colégio de S. Jerónimo, Largo D. Dinis, Apartado 3087, 300-995 Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Helena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Machado
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
authors.forename: Bárbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Figueiredo
authors.affiliation: EPIUnit, Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, Rua das Taipas 135, 4050-600 Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Susana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Silva
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015925:Cryopreservation; D003657:Decision Making; D019924:Embryo Disposition / Q000523:psychology*; D033041:Embryo Research; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility; D008297:Male; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D011174:Portugal; D012067:Religion; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014019:Tissue Donors / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: IVF; cryopreserved embryos; embryo disposition; embryo research; patient-centred care