When individuals or couples pursue in vitro fertilization (IVF), the process typically involves creating and cryopreserving more embryos than are initially transferred. These extra embryos are stored in liquid nitrogen, providing future opportunities for pregnancy. Once a family feels complete, a difficult decision arises regarding the disposition of these remaining cryopreserved embryos. The creators must decide whether to continue storage, donate them to science or another family, or cease their cryopreservation entirely. This process requires a thoughtful re-evaluation of initial intentions, culminating in a choice that respects personal values and legal agreements.
The Path of Ongoing Cryopreservation
Continuing cryopreservation is often a temporary decision made when a definitive choice feels premature. This option maintains the possibility of future use, preserving reproductive material for potential later pregnancies. The embryos are stored at -196°C in specialized liquid nitrogen tanks, which effectively halts all biological activity. This ongoing storage requires a significant financial commitment, with annual fees typically ranging from $350 to $1,500. Clinics also require creators to periodically renew consent forms to reaffirm their decision, as failing to pay fees or keep contact information current can lead to the embryos being classified as “abandoned.”
Donation for Scientific Research and Training
Donating unused embryos for non-reproductive purposes contributes to advancements in reproductive medicine and human biology. This option requires explicit, informed consent from the creators, outlining the specific ways the embryos may be used.
Training and Technique Improvement
Embryos donated for scientific research are often utilized to improve IVF techniques. This includes allowing embryologists in training to practice delicate procedures like vitrification, thawing, or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
Developmental Research
Embryos may be used to study early human development or for the derivation of embryonic stem cell lines. Stem cell lines are valuable for understanding genetic diseases and developing new therapies, though this process involves the destruction of the embryo. Strict ethical oversight from institutional review boards regulates the use of these donated embryos. These embryos will not result in a pregnancy and are ultimately discarded after the research or training purpose has been fulfilled.
Donation to Another Family
Donating embryos to another individual or couple seeking to build a family is a complex option, sometimes referred to as “embryo adoption.” This process involves comprehensive screening of both the donating family and the recipient family, mirroring the evaluations required for traditional gamete donation. The legal framework of this donation is distinct from traditional adoption because the transfer is governed by contract law. Parental rights are relinquished via a contractual agreement before the embryo is transferred to the recipient’s uterus, ensuring the recipients are the only legal parents of any resulting child. Donations can be anonymous, or open/semi-open, allowing for varying degrees of contact between the two families.
Thawing and Discarding
Thawing and discarding unused embryos is often the most common disposition option for individuals who have completed their family. This decision provides a definitive end to the storage commitment. The process is initiated by the creators signing a formal directive form confirming their intent to discontinue cryopreservation. Laboratory personnel remove the embryos from the liquid nitrogen storage tank and allow them to warm to room temperature, rendering them non-viable. The process is verified by two laboratory staff members, and the non-viable embryos are then disposed of as medical waste.
The Governing Legal and Consent Agreements
The fate of unused embryos is fundamentally determined by the legal and contractual agreements signed at the time of their cryopreservation. These initial consent forms, known as Embryo Disposition Agreements, are legally binding documents that outline the creators’ wishes for all potential outcomes. The agreements dictate the permitted disposition options, which typically include continued storage, donation to another family, donation for research, or thawing and discarding. These agreements are important because they address what happens in the event of life changes, such as the separation or death of one or both partners. The document must clearly state who retains the decision-making authority, thereby preventing future legal disputes over the embryos’ disposition.