Now in its fifth decade, in vitro fertilization (IVF) and other assisted reproduction technologies (ART) have been the answer to many families’ baby prayers. How-
ever, this success has created a surplus of frozen human embryos. That surplus
is estimated at roughly 1,000,000 in the United States. Many biological parents
store their frozen embryos for future use. But when those parents have completed their families, they must decide what to do with their remaining embryos. Donating them to another infertile couple is an increasingly popular option. It benefits both
the genetic family and the recipient family.
ever, this success has created a surplus of frozen human embryos. That surplus
is estimated at roughly 1,000,000 in the United States. Many biological parents
store their frozen embryos for future use. But when those parents have completed their families, they must decide what to do with their remaining embryos. Donating them to another infertile couple is an increasingly popular option. It benefits both
the genetic family and the recipient family.
Embryo donation, sometimes called embryo adoption, offers embryos the potential
of life. It also allows the recipient mother the chance to carry her adopted child and control the prenatal environment.
While embryo donation is not for everyone, it can be an opportunity for many who have given up hope of ever raising a child. Located in Knoxville, TN, the NEDC is the only non-profit, medically-directed organization helping both embryo donors
and recipients.
