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Towards an Understanding of Embryo Donation in New Zealand: The Views of Donors and Recipients

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Bioethics Beyond Altruism

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Abstract

Embryo donation (ED) involves the transfer of surplus embryos following IVF to another infertile person/s. While ED may offer a solution for couples who have embryos remaining after IVF and completion of their families, and for those affected by infertility, ED raises significant psychosocial and ethical concerns. In New Zealand, the donation decision and experience of ED is complex for specific cultural and social reasons. In this chapter, we discuss whether or not embryos are regarded as cells that constitute a resource for family-building or whether they have immutable social ties to the donors by virtue of genetic and genealogical links. We explore some of the longer-term issues involved with ED and offer a framework from which to make sense of this practice.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand

    Sonja Goedeke

  2. University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand

    Ken Daniels

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  1. Sonja Goedeke
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Correspondence to Sonja Goedeke .

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  1. Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand

    Rhonda M Shaw

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Goedeke, S., Daniels, K. (2017). Towards an Understanding of Embryo Donation in New Zealand: The Views of Donors and Recipients. In: Shaw, R. (eds) Bioethics Beyond Altruism. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-55532-4_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-55532-4_5

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