What is embryo adoption?

Adoption of embryos refers to the fertility treatment where a woman is implanted with embryos from an anonymous donor.

When eggs are “harvested”, the biological mother undergoing an assisted reproduction treatment does not always receive all the embryos obtained. This leaves a surplus of embryos which under the law must be properly frozen and stored. The options are then:

• Implant the embryos into the same woman (if she subsequently wants to try to get pregnant again)
• Destroy the embryos
• Donate the embryos for research or donate them to other patients.

If a woman decides to donate her embryos, other couples with reproductive problems may benefit. In such cases, medical specialists typically seek physically similar anonymous donors to prospective recipient parents.

Why do some couples choose embryo adoption?

Some couples may choose the fertility procedure because of the following reasons:

• They have a problem with either the eggs or sperm, which causes infertility
• IVF treatment has failed
• One of the parents has a genetic disorder, which they do not want to pass on
• A couple want to adopt a child and also experience pregnancy
   

What is the process for embryo adoption?

When a couple decides on embryo adoption, they complete an application, match with a donor and then legally adopt the embryo. The eggs from the donor are then fertilised with the partner's sperm in a laboratory. The embryos are later transferred to the uterus. 

Many fertility clinics have waiting lists because there are more people wanting the treatment than there are egg donors. All of the egg donors would have been tested for diseases such as HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and genetic disorders such as cystic fibrosis, before to ensure that the eggs are healthy.