Donated ovarian tissue in embryo research and assisted conception--the view of women of reproductive age.

Abstract

In response to widespread interest by the media, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) recently produced a document entitled 'Donated Ovarian Tissue in Embryology Research and Assisted Conception'. Interested organizations and the public were asked for their views on the use of eggs or ovarian tissue obtained from live donors, cadavers or fetuses for both research and the treatment of infertility. For 6 weeks from mid-March 1994, we made the HFEA document available to women attending a Family Planning/Well Woman Clinic (n = 1142), an Infertility Clinic (n = 241) and 200 women about to have a termination of pregnancy, in an attempt to develop an understanding of the attitudes of the general public. We asked them to answer anonymously the questions posed by the HFEA. Over 89% of women thought that ways should be sought to increase the supply of eggs for research and treatment. There were no significant differences in attitudes between the three groups, except that women seeking an abortion were significantly less likely to support the use of cadavers as a source of eggs for either research (48 versus 67%) or treatment (48 versus 59%) (P < 0.05 in both cases). Although all three groups of women found live donors the most acceptable source (90% for research, 88% for treatment), the majority supported the use of fetal eggs/tissue for both research (60%) and treatment (54%) of infertility. This study represents the first systematic attempt to determine the opinion of women who may not otherwise make their views known to the HFEA.