We have a problem in our country that has been talked about a lot in recent days. This is the surplus of frozen embryos and gametes that some banks of Assisted Reproduction clinics present. We are talking about some 60,000 accumulated cryopreserved embryos or gametes that cannot be assigned.
Why is this problem of accumulated embryos occurring?
“These are embryos that have been stored for years. Although we currently try to generate the least number of embryos per patient or couple, cryopreservation is sometimes unavoidable. This is due to the policy we have at IVI of transferring a single embryo and given the excellent pregnancy rates we have. In our specific case, at IVI we have managed to significantly reduce the cases of neglected embryos. Currently the figure is only 7%. Our specialized Cryomanagement Unit has largely contributed to this. It was born with the aim of analyzing and optimizing processes, providing the best treatment for embryos. In addition, maintaining constant contact with patients, to advise them and accompany them in the use they decide to give their surplus embryos”explains Dr. Antonio Requena, Medical Director of IVI.
What does the law say about frozen embryos and gametes?
The current law contemplates three assumptions for cases in which a woman or couple is not going to use their cryopreserved embryos. The first is to donate them to other couples, for reproductive purposes. The second would be to donate them for research projects, and the third would be to destroy them. The problem appears when patients cannot be contacted, causing the accumulation of cryopreserved embryos. Without your prior consent from the clinics we cannot donate them to other patients or to research. Of course, we can’t just destroy them either, since there are some legal and ethical questions about it.
In addition, in those cases in which patients do want to decide the fate of their embryos, we must add the fact that the three aforementioned assumptions are associated with a series of conditions that complicate decision-making.
“In the case of wanting to donate the embryos to other couples, they must have certain tests that guarantee their viability. If you choose to donate them to research, there must be a specific project for these embryos. In this sense, the truth is that there are currently few lines of research in Spain, which reduces the possibilities of using these embryos for this purpose. And if it is decided to destroy them, a preferred option for many women who have already fulfilled their desire to be mothers, this can only be done if there are two independent medical reports that determine that the patient is not suitable to undergo reproductive treatment. assisted or if you are already over the age of 50. This is so because it is the ethical limit that was agreed between the reproductive clinics in Spain, at most for a woman to undergo assisted reproduction treatment. These very specific premises make decision-making complicated for many women and couples, which leads to this accumulation of embryos”adds Dr. Requena.
Given this scenario, what solutions are there?
It is paradoxical that, while a woman is solely responsible for her pregnancy during the first 14 weeks, she cannot individually decide on the fate of her cryopreserved embryos or oocytes.
“Given this scenario, perhaps it would be necessary to propose a review of the assisted reproduction law in reference to this problem. This, together with a clear awareness policy about the embryos to be generated by treatment, depending on each case. Both by specialists in reproductive medicine, and by the patients themselves. This would prevent accumulation and falling into a legal and ethical limbo like the one we find ourselves in today”concludes Dr. Requena.
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