 |
Gamete and embryo donation
What is gamete and embryo donation?
Assisted conception techniques allows some couples
who could not have their own child to do so. This may be done using
donated eggs, sperm or embryos.
Donated eggs, if the woman
is not producing eggs or at risk of passing on an inherited disease.
Donor sperm, if the husband
or male partner is not producing sperm or at risk of passing on an inherited
disease.
Donated embryos, when
both partner is infertile but the woman is capable of carrying the baby
to full term.
Sperm, egg and embryo donation are complex, ethical
and legal issues. Some couples find the use of gamete and embryo donation
unacceptable on cultural, religious or personal grounds. These views
must be respected. Some countries allow all forms of gametes and embryo
donation. Others allow the use of donor sperm but forbid both egg and
embryo donation. Furthermore, some countries forbid all forms of gametes
and embryo donations. Psychological assessment by a qualified mental
health professional is recommended for all gamete and embryo donation
by the ASRM.
There is some evidence that pregnancies resulting
from donated eggs, sperm and embryos have an increased incidence of
complications in pregnancy, in particular hypertensive problems including
pre-eclampsia. In addition, a significantly higher rate of hospitalisation
of egg recipients immediately before delivery and during antenatal period,
a significantly higher rate of caesarean section and admission of the
baby to the Intensive Care Unit during the first few days of life after
birth have also been reported.
Donation and the law
- All donors are altruistic volunteers (no financial gains to the donor).
- All prospective donors should be offered adequate counseling, but
they are not obliged to accept it.
- The woman receiving treatment and her husband or partner will be the
legal parents.
- It is a legal requirement that infertility centres must not provide
a woman with treatment unless account has been taken of the welfare
of any child who may be born as result of treatment.
- On April 1st 2005 new regulations came into force in the UK that ended
the anonymity of sperm, egg and embryo donors. The removal of donor anonymity was based on the principle that a child has the right to information about his or her genetic heritage. Countries such as Austria, Sweden, Norway, and Netherland, New Zealand have already enacted similar legislation.
- Children born as a result of donated eggs, donor sperm or embryos,
have the right at age 18 or earlier if contemplating marriage to obtain
information about the donor. The new regulations surrounding information
on donors will not be retrospective so any donors registered before
April 1st 2005 will remain anonymous unless he or she chooses to re-register
as an identifiable donor.
- The human fertilization
and embryology authority (HFEA) is required to keep on its register
information about individuals who donate and the recipients.
What information can be provided if the donor last registered before 1st April 2005?
Non-identifiable information including the donors physical
attributes, their year and country of birth, marital status, ethnic group,
whether the donor was adopted, whether the donor had children and if so
their sexes and number, as well as medical history and screening tests.
What information can be provided if the donor last registered after 1st April 2005?
In addition to the above, the donor name, address, date
and place of birth .
User Contributed Notes
|
marcus@ivf-infertility.com
19-Dec-2008 19:34 |
|
In the UK, to obtain sperm, eggs or embryos from within the EU, the clinic/ center will organise for a transfer to be made from that country.The donations will need to meet certain criteria:
1-The EU country from which the transfer is being made has implemented EU quality and standards known as the EU Tissues and Cells Directive.
2-The clinic from which the transfer is being made is licensed or accredited under the laws of that EU country.
3-The sperm, eggs or embryos transferred meet UK standard requirements on screening, as set out in HFEA licence conditions and the HFEA Code of Practice.
4-The donor of the sperm, eggs or embryos:
- is identifiable,
- has consented to the transfer of their sperm, eggs or embryos to the UK and
- has been made aware of the legal position in the UK on identifying donors (including the implications for the donor).
5-The donor of the sperm, eggs or embryos must have only received reasonable expenses or reimbursement for loss of earnings. No inconvenience payments should have been made to the donor.
The UK clinic receiving the donation must make sure that the EU/EEA clinic providing the donation has met these criteria in order for the transfer to take place.
To obtain sperm, eggs or embryos from outside the EU, the clinic/ center will need to apply to the HFEA for a Special Direction on your behalf to import from that country. Furthermore, the clinic must demonstrate that the donation has met the above UK standards.
|
|
|
| Terms
and Conditions
Copyright © 2005 IVF-infertility.com -
All rights reserved
|
|
