Attitudes towards embryo donation among infertile couples with frozen embryos.

STUDY QUESTION: What are the attitudes towards different aspects of embryo donation among Swedish infertile couples who have surplus cryopreserved embryos? SUMMARY ANSWER: Nearly three-quarters of infertile couples with surplus embryos were in favour of embryo donation. A majority of respondents were also in favour of embryos being donated for research. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Currently, embryo donation to other infertile couples is prohibited by law in Sweden. Encouraging results have been published from countries allowing embryo donation, although it is a complex procedure associated with many emotional, ethical, legal and psychosocial aspects. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: This cross-sectional study included 471 infertile couples (942 patients) treated during the period March 2006 to March 2009. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING,
METHODS: Infertile couples who had been treated at a Swedish university-based hospital and private IVF clinic and who had cryopreserved embryos were sent questionnaires with questions regarding socio-demographic data and their attitudes towards embryo donation. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: The response rate to the questionnaire was 58%. Of the respondents, 76% supported the donation of surplus embryos to other infertile couples, but there were divided opinions regarding the disclosure of the genetic parents' identities. Close to 60% of the participants indicated that donations of embryos should be allowed for research and about 45% of the participants approved donations of embryos to single women. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: The relatively low response rate and the hypothetical nature of the questions may limit the validity of the results. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE
FINDINGS: The results from the study indicate that cryopreserved embryos may be available for donation to other infertile couples, particularly where restrictions can be set on recipient characteristics.