Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Principles of Oocyte and Embryo Donation pp 405–418Cite as

Ethical Issues: Addressing the Sensational Cases and Analyzing the Clinical Practice

  • 1059 Accesses

Abstract

Oocyte and embryo donation have long been lightning rods for controversy about assisted reproduction, both because of public divisiveness regarding sensational cases and because of the social concerns that attend changes in reproductive patterns, capacities, and roles. In particular, there is much discussion regarding the minimization of physical risks to oocyte donors, the iteration and development of consensus around what ought to be included in information provided to donors before they give consent to oocyte or embryo donation, and both whether and what children have a right to know about their genetic origins.

Among the most dramatic changes in the social perception of oocyte and embryo donation is the presence of a growing body of empirical data to shed light on issues such as potential psychological outcomes of oocyte and embryo donation for donors, families, and offspring to inform our ethical discussions.

Keywords

  • Oocyte Donor
  • Intended Parent
  • Reproductive Material
  • Embryo Donation
  • Reconstructed Embryo

These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Chapter
EUR   29.95
Price includes VAT (Finland)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
EUR   93.08
Price includes VAT (Finland)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
EUR   120.99
Price includes VAT (Finland)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
EUR   164.99
Price includes VAT (Finland)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Blyth E. Information on genetic origins in donor-assisted conception: is knowing who you are a human rights issue? Hum Fertil (Camb). 2002;5(4):185–92. Provides a full analysis on knowing your genetic origins as a human right.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  2. Lorbach C. Experiences of donor conception: parents, offspring and donors through the years. Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley Publishers Inc.; 2009.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Kenney NJ, McGowan ML. Looking back: egg donors’ retrospective evaluations of their motivations, expectations, and experiences during their first donation cycle. Fertil Steril. 2010;93(2):455–66.

    CrossRef  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Lindheim S, Porat N, Jaeger A. Survey report of gamete donors’ and recipients’ preferences regarding disclosure of third party reproduction outcomes and genetic risk information. J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 2011;37(4):292–9.

    CrossRef  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Assisted reproductive technology (ART) report: national summary report. 2010. http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/art/Apps/NationalSummaryReport.aspx. Accessed 20 June 2012.

  6. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 2009 Assisted reproductive technology (ART) report: section 4: ART cycles using donor eggs. http://www.cdc.gov/art/ART2009/section4.htm. Accessed 20 June 2012.

  7. Walker J. Genetic parents win custody of baby: California judge also denies surrogate mother visitation rights. The Washington Post. Tuesday, 23 Oct 1990;A4.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Hoffman DI, Zellman GL, Fair CC, Mayer JF, Zeitz, JG, Gibbons WE, Turner TG. Cryopreserved embryos in the United States and their availability for research. Fertil Steril. 2003;79(5):1063–9. http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB9038/index1.html. Accessed 23 June 2012.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Lyerly AD, Steinhauser K, Voils C, et al. Fertility patients’ views about frozen embryo disposition: results of a multi-institutional U.S. survey. Fertil Steril. 2010;93(2):499–509.

    CrossRef  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Provoost V, Pennings G, De Sutter P, Van de Velde A, Dhont M. Trends in embryo disposition decisions: patients’ responses to a 15-year mailing program. Hum Reprod. 2012;27(2):506–14.

    CrossRef  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. New York State Task Force on Life and the Law. Assisted reproductive technology: analysis and recommendations for public policy. 1998. Executive summary available at: http://www.health.ny.gov/regulations/task_force/reports_publications/execsum.htm. Accessed 23 June 2012.

  12. Kalfoglou AL, Geller G. A follow-up study with oocyte donors exploring their experiences, knowledge, and attitudes about the use of their oocytes and the outcome of the donation. Fertil Steril. 2000;74(4):660–7.

    CrossRef  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. New York State Task Force on Life and the Law. Thinking of becoming an egg donor? Get the facts before you decide! 2002. Available at: http://www.health.ny.gov/publications/1127/. Accessed 23 June 2012.

  14. Examples of oocyte banks advertising on the Internet. https://www.donoreggbankusa.com/, http://www.myeggbank.com/donor-eggs/index.php, http://www.fairfaxeggbank.com/, https://www.nwcryobank.com/. Accessed 20 June 2012.

  15. Johnson M. (U.K. Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health). The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (Disclosure of Donor Information) Regulations 20042004 No. 1511. http://www.legislation.gov.uk/2004/1511. Accessed 20 Dec 2012.

  16. Kalfoglou AL, Sauer MV. A precautionary approach to oocyte donation for stem cell nuclear transplantation. Am J Bioeth. 2011;11(9):31–3.

    CrossRef  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Extend FertilityTM. Female egg banking services. http://www.extendfertility.com/female-egg-banking.htm. Accessed 20 June 2012.

  18. Frozen Egg Bank, Inc. Frozen donor eggs reverse the biologic clock. http://www.eggfreezing.com/. Accessed 20 June 2012.

  19. Dondorp W, De Wert G. Fertility preservation for healthy women: ethical aspects. Hum Reprod. 2009;24(8):1779–85.

    CrossRef  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Dondorp W, de Wert G, Pennings G, et al. Oocyte cryopreservation for age-related fertility loss. Hum Reprod. 2012;27(5):1231–7.

    CrossRef  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. The Ethics Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Fertility preservation and reproduction in cancer patients. Fertil Steril. 2005;83(6):1622–8.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  22. ESHRE Task Force on Ethics and the Law. Taskforce 7: ethical considerations for the cryopreservation of gametes and reproductive tissues for self use. Hum Reprod. 2004;19(2):460–2.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  23. The Practice Committee of the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology and the American Society of Reproductive Medicine. Essential elements of informed consent for elective oocyte cryopreservation: a practice committee opinion. Fertil Steril. 2008;90:S134–5.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Bahadur G, Morrison M, Machin L. Beyond the ‘embryo question’: human embryonic stem cell ethics in the context of biomaterial donation in the UK. Reprod Biomed Online. 2010;21(7):868–74.

    CrossRef  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. de Lacey S. Decisions for the fate of frozen embryos: fresh insights into patients’ thinking and their rationales for donating or discarding embryos. Hum Reprod. 2007;22(6):1751–8.

    CrossRef  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. McMahon CA, Saunders DM. Attitudes of couples with stored frozen embryos toward conditional embryo donation. Fertil Steril. 2009;91(1):140–7.

    CrossRef  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Lyerly A, Steinhauser K, Namey E, et al. Factors that affect infertility patients’ decisions about disposition of frozen embryos. Fertil Steril. 2006;85(6):1623–30.

    CrossRef  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Ehrich K, Farsides B, Williams C, Scott R. Constructing an ethical framework for embryo donation to research: is it time for a restricted consent policy? Hum Fertil. 2011;14(2):115–21.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  29. Sehnert B, Chetkowski RJ. Secondary donation of frozen embryos is more common after pregnancy initiation with donated eggs than after in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer and gamete intrafallopian transfer. Fertil Steril. 1998;69(2):350–2.

    CrossRef  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. National Research Council and Institute of Medicine. Final Report of The National Academies’ Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research Advisory Committee and 2010 Amendments to The National Academies’. Guidelines for human embryonic stem cell research. National Academy Press: Washington. 2010. http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12923#toc. Accessed 22 July 2012.

  31. Stein R. ‘Embryo bank’ stirs ethics fears. The Washington Post Saturday. 6 Jan 2007. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpdyn/content/article/2007/01/05/AR2007010501953.html. Accessed 20 June 2012.

  32. Kolata G. Clinics selling embryos made for ‘adoption’. NY Times. 23 Nov 1997. http://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/23/us/clinics-selling-embryos-made-for-adoption.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm. Accessed 20 June 2012.

  33. Ryan J. Press release: Abraham Center for Life no longer in embryo business. 30 May 2007. http://www.eworldwire.com/pressrelease/17092. Accessed 20 June 2012.

  34. NBC Connecticut. Fertility center fined for giving patient wrong embryos, Monday, 28 June 2010. http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/Fertility-Center-Fined-for-Giving-Patient-Wrong-Embryos-97267539.html. Accessed 21 June 2012.

  35. BBC News. Embryo mix up couple to speak out. Monday, 15 June 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8098553.stm Accessed 21 June 2012.

  36. Randhaws K. Top IVF clinic gives woman wrong embryos. London Evening Standard, 18 July 2011. http://www.standard.co.uk/news/top-ivf-clinic-gives-woman-wrong-embryos-6423018.html. Accessed 21 June 2012.

  37. Saletan W. Scrambled eggs: aborting a fetus because it’s not yours. Slade. Wednesday, 18 March 2009. http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/human_nature/2009/03/scrambled_eggs.html. Accessed 21 June 2012.

  38. Celizic M. She was implanted with the wrong embryo: plans to say ‘hello, and goodbye’ when she delivers the baby soon. NBC News. 21 September 2009. http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/32950836/ns/today-today_health/t/she-was-implanted-wrong-embryo/#.UNPD67apZIZ. Accessed 21 June 2012.

  39. Ethics Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). Disclosure of medical errors involving gametes and embryos. Fertil Steril. 2011;96:1312–4.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  40. Snyder RS. Reproductive technology and stolen ova: who is the mother? Law Inequal. 1998;16(1):289–334.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Yoshino K. UCI settles dozens of fertility suits. Los Angeles Times. 11 Sept 2009. http://articles.latimes.com/2009/sep/11/local/me-uci-fertility11. Accessed 22 June 2012.

  42. Kalfoglou AL, Gittelsohn J. A qualitative follow-up study of women’s experiences with oocyte donation. Hum Reprod. 2000;15(4):798–805.

    CrossRef  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Alfonsi S. Inside egg donation: more money for blondes? ABC News. 11 May 2010. http://abcnews.go.com/WN/egg-donation-agencies-paid-money-favored-attributes/story?id=10614326. Accessed 23 June 2012.

  44. Ethics Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). Financial compensation of oocyte donors. Fertil Steril. 2007;88:304–9.

    Google Scholar 

  45. Fox D. Paying for particulars in people-to-be: commercialisation, commodification and commensurability in human reproduction. J Med Ethics. 2008;34(3):162–6.

    CrossRef  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Macklin R. What is wrong with commodification? In: Cohen CB, editor. New ways of making babies: the case of egg donation. Bloomington: Indiana University Press; 1996.

    Google Scholar 

  47. Hughes J, Gallagher J. Egg donor compensation is to triple under new HFEA guidelines. BBC News. 19 Oct 2011.

    Google Scholar 

  48. ESHRE Task Force on Ethics and Law. Task Force III: gamete and embryo donation. Hum Reprod. 2002;17(5):1407–8.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  49. Blyth E. Subsidized IVF: the development of ‘egg sharing’ in the United Kingdom. Hum Reprod. 2002;17(12):3254–9.

    CrossRef  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Strathen M. Reflections on gamete donation. BioNews No. 630 24 October 2011. http://www.bionews.org.uk/page_110416.asp. Accessed 26 June 2012.

    CrossRef  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Gürtin ZB, Ahuja KK, Golombok S. Egg-sharing, consent and exploitation: examining donors’ and recipients’ circumstances and retrospective reflections. Reprod Biomed Online. 2012;24(7):698–708.

    CrossRef  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) Ethics Committee. Donating spare embryos for stem cell research. Fertil Steril. 2009;91(3):667–70.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  53. Carson S, Eschenbach D, Lomax G, Rice V, Sauer M, Taylor R. Proposed oocyte donation guidelines for stem cell research. Fertil Steril. 2010;94(7):2503–6.

    CrossRef  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Statement on the compensation of oocyte donors. New York State Stem Cell Science [online]. 2009. http://www.stemcell.ny.gov/docs/ESSCB_Statement_on_Compensation_of_Oocyte_Donors.pdf.

  55. http://www.bionews.org.uk/page_110416.asp. Accessed 26 June 2012.

  56. Batzer F, Daar J. Harmony and compensation for oocyte providers. Am J Bioeth. 2011;11(9):39–41.

    CrossRef  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Dickenson D. The threatened trade in human ova. Nat Rev Genet. 2004;5(3):167.

    CrossRef  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. Dickenson D. Good science and good ethics: why we should discourage payment for eggs for stem cell research. Nat Rev Genet. 2009;10(11):743.

    CrossRef  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Klitzman R, Sauer M. Payment of egg donors in stem cell research in the USA. Reprod Biomed Online. 2009;18(5):603–8.

    CrossRef  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Ramsey J. Donating eggs for research – should the HFEA reconsider its policy on payments to egg donors? Reprod Biomed Online. 2007;15:25–33.

    CrossRef  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. Cohen J, Scott R, Schimmel T, Levron J, Willadsen S. Birth of infant after transfer of anucleate donor oocyte cytoplasm into recipient eggs. Lancet. 1997;350(9072):186–7.

    CrossRef  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  62. Lanzendorf SE, Mayer JF, Toner J, Oehninger S, Saffan DS, Muasher S. Pregnancy following transfer of ooplasm from cryopreserved-thawed donor oocytes into recipient oocytes. Fertil Steril. 1999;71(3):575–7.

    CrossRef  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. Huang CC, Cheng TC, Chang HH, et al. Birth after the injection of sperm and the cytoplasm of tripronucleate zygotes into metaphase II oocytes in patients with repeated implantation failure after assisted fertilization procedures. Fertil Steril. 1999;72(4):702–6.

    CrossRef  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. Barritt JA, Brenner CA, Malter HE, Cohen J. Mitochondria in human offspring derived from ooplasmic transplantation: brief communication. Hum Reprod. 2001;16:513–6.

    CrossRef  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  65. Barritt JA, Brenner CA, Malter HE, Cohen J. Rebuttal: interooplasmic transfers in humans. Reprod Biomed Online. 2001;3(1):47–8.

    CrossRef  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  66. Brenner C, Barritt J, Willadsen S, Cohen J. Mitochondrial DNA heteroplasmy after human ooplasmic transplantation. Fertil Steril. 2000;74:573–8.

    CrossRef  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  67. Dale B, Wilding M, Botta G, et al. Pregnancy after cytoplasmic transfer in a couple suffering from idiopathic infertility: case report. Hum Reprod. 2001;16(7):1469–72.

    CrossRef  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  68. How far will couples go to conceive? CNN.com. 17 June 2004. Available at: http://edition.cnn.com/2004/HEALTH/03/12/infertility.treatment/index.html. Accessed 26 June 2012.

  69. WebIndia123. Woman conceives through cytoplasmic transfer technology. 21 November 2011. http://news.webindia123.com/news/articles/India/20111121/1876130.html. Accessed 20 Dec 2012.

  70. Medical Tourism India. Cytoplasmic transfer. Wednesday, 31 Aug 2011. http://www.medicaltourism.in/medical-tourism-procedures/ayurvedic-therapies/gynecology-ivf-treatment-female-reproductive-system-and-pregnancy/cytoplasmic-transfer/cytoplasmic-transfer.html. Accessed 26 June 2012. Health-Tourism.com. Cytoplasmic transfer abroad – medical tourism guide. Details of leading clinics and hospitals performing cytoplasmic transfer to foreign patients. http://www.health-tourism.com/cytoplasmic-transfer/. Accessed 26 June 2012.

  71. BBC News Online. Foetus with three parents created. 14 Oct 2003. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3189718.stm. Accessed 26 June 2012.

  72. Tachibana M, Sparman M, Sritanaudomchai H, et al. Mitochondrial gene replacement in primate offspring and embryonic stem cells. Nature. 2009;461:367–72.

    CrossRef  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  73. Craven L, Tuppen HA, Greggains GD, et al. Pronuclear transfer in human embryos to prevent transmission of mitochondrial DNA disease. Nature. 2010;465:82–5.

    CrossRef  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  74. Nuffield Council on Bioethics. Novel techniques for the prevention of mitochondrial DNA disorders: an ethical review. 2012. http://www.nuffieldbioethics.org//mitochondrial-dna-disorders. Accessed 26 June 2012.

  75. Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. Review of scientific methods to avoid mitochondrial disease 2011. 2012. Available at: http://www.hfea.gov.uk/6372.html. Accessed 26 June 2012.

  76. Bredenoord AL, Pennings G, de Wert G. Ooplasmic and nuclear transfer to prevent mitochondrial DNA disorders: conceptual and normative issues. Hum Reprod Update. 2008;14(6):669–78.

    CrossRef  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  77. Sample I. ‘Three parent babies’ cure for illness raises ethical fears. The Guardian. 5 June 2012. http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2012/jun/05/mitochondrial-genetic-disease-ethical-doubts. Accessed 26 June 2012.

  78. Medical Tourism Corporation. India gestational surrogacy success rate. 7 Jan 2009. http://www.medicaltourismco.com/medical-tourism/india-gestational-surrogacy-success-rate/. Accessed 26 June 2012.

  79. Kalfoglou AL, Geller G. Navigating conflict of interest in oocyte donation: an analysis of donors’ experiences. Womens Health Issues. 2000;10(5):226–39.

    CrossRef  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  80. Kalbian A. Considering the risks to economically disadvantaged egg donors. Am J Bioeth. 2011;11(9):44–5.

    CrossRef  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Health Administration and Policy Program, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), 1000 Hilltop Circle PUP 212, Baltimore, MD, 21250, USA

    Andrea L. Kalfoglou Ph.D.

  2. Graduate Department of Bioethics, Kansas City University for Medicine and Bioscience, 1101 Walnut Street 1303/4, Kansas City, MO, 64106, USA

    Glenn McGee Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Andrea L. Kalfoglou Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Glenn McGee Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Andrea L. Kalfoglou Ph.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Center for Women’s Reproductive Care, Columbia University, 1790 Broadway, New York, 10019, New York, USA

    Mark V. Sauer

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

Copyright information

© 2013 Springer-Verlag London

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Kalfoglou, A.L., McGee, G. (2013). Ethical Issues: Addressing the Sensational Cases and Analyzing the Clinical Practice. In: Sauer, M. (eds) Principles of Oocyte and Embryo Donation. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-2392-7_30

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-2392-7_30

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4471-2391-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4471-2392-7

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Search

Navigation