Abstract
Objective:This paper looked into the findings of a survey on the ethical and emotional aspects encircling the fate of surplus embryos in Assisted Human Reproduction (AHR).Methods:Five staff members of a fertility clinic in the Brazilian State of São Paulo answered a semi-structured qualitative interview.Results:The answers alluded to the different meanings assigned to embryos by medical staff (genetic material) and couples undergoing fertility treatment (potential child). The meaning couples assigned to their embryos, along with inherent uncertainty and distress, affected the choice of what would be done to surplus embryos.Conclusion:Psychological support may be helpful to two key groups present in assisted human reproduction: clinic staff, for support in their interactions with couples; and couples in need of support and awareness on surplus embryo donation.
Highlights
After undergoing treatment with in vitro fertilization (IVF), couples are required by fertility clinics to decide the fate of their surplus embryos (Holwell et al, 2014)
A choice was made for answers discussing the possible fates of cryopreserved embryos, the choices made by couples regarding embryo destination, the feelings couples and clinic staff had over the donation of embryos, and the connotative meaning and value assigned to the embryos by the couples and clinic staff
The first question probed into whether couples knew the possible fates of their surplus embryos and if they were informed of donation options
Summary
After undergoing treatment with in vitro fertilization (IVF), couples are required by fertility clinics to decide the fate of their surplus embryos (Holwell et al, 2014). The only piece of legislation to refer to the matter is Article 5 of Law 11105/2005 (Biosafety Law) on genetically modified organisms promulgated on March 24, 2005, in which the issue of human embryos is discussed (Brazil, 2005; 1988). Due to this gap in Brazilian legislation, the Federal Board of Medicine (CFM) has debated and issued regulation on the subject (CFM, 2013)
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