Embryo Donation an Option under Proposed Guidelines
Couples who have IVF embryos that are surplus to their treatment needs may soon be given the option of donating them to other infertile couples. This new option is outlined in the "Guidelines for the Practice of Embryo Donation for Reproductive Purposes" consultation paper, released by the National Ethics Committee on Assisted Human Reproduction (NECAHR). At the moment, couples who have embryos left over after their treatment can either have them kept in storage (normally for up to 10 years), or have them destroyed. Donating surplus embryos to another infertile couple will present them with another option.
The consultation paper sets out the ethical and cultural issues in regard to embryo donation for reproductive purposes, together with a description of the international situation.
Embryo donation raises a number of ethical considerations, including the welfare of any child who might be subsequently born. Another important consideration is free and informed consent on the part of the embryo donor. Compensation for gamete or embryo donation is considered to be unethical in NZ, and the proposed guidelines reflect this position.
The guidelines, together with questions and answers, are available on NECAHR's website at www.newhealth.govt.nz/necahr.htm |
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