Screening of donors
All prospective embryo donors should be screened to the current standards recommended by the regulatory bodies. This prevents transmission of infection to the recipient and offspring and the risk of passing on a genetic or inherited disease to the offspring. Both the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) require full screening of the donors of both egg and sperm. Donors should be screened for infectious diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis B and C, Cytomegalovirus and syphilis. Donors may also be screened for genetic diseases such as cystic fibrosis carrier and the karyotype. Their blood group and Rhesus (Rh) status can also be determined. In addition, in appropriate ethnic groups, screening for sickle cell and thalassaemia.
There is always the possibility that one or more of these tests may reveal a previously unsuspected condition or infection. All prospective donors should consider this carefully before giving permission to these tests.