Deciding the fate of supernumerary frozen embryos: a survey of couples’ decisions and the factors influencing their choice

ObjectiveTo investigate the decisions that couples make regarding supernumerary frozen embryos, the factors influencing these decisions, and the degree of difficulty involved in reaching a decision; and to canvass attitudes toward donating embryos to stem-cell research.DesignAnonymous postal survey.SettingA large, private IVF clinic in a major city in Victoria, Australia.Patient(s)A consecutive cohort of couples who contacted the Monash IVF clinic in relation to embryos in long-term storage.Intervention(s)Subjects completed a survey regarding decisions about surplus frozen embryos.Main Outcome Measure(s)Couples’ decision regarding supernumerary embryos and reasons for the decision, experience of deciding, and attitudes about embryo donation for stem-cell research.Result(s)Forty percent (123/311) returned completed questionnaires. The most common decision was donation to research (42%). Altruistic motives and desire not to waste embryos were determinants of embryo donation. Determinants of disposal were not wanting a full sibling to existing children and opposition of embryo research. Forty-five percent found deciding distressing. The majority (69%) approved of embryo donation to stem-cell research.Conclusion(s)Most couples preferred embryos to come to some use rather than being disposed of. Almost half the sample reported finding the decision making distressing. A majority approved of embryo donation for stem-cell research.