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.