Embryo Donation or Adoption? You tell me.

I found this article by Jennifer Salerno and wanted to share it with my readers. Now I want to reiterate that I think Embryo Adoption really should be called Embryo Donation. I have posted before what my feelings are regarding the word Adoption, and all that goes along with it, should be reserved for Intended Parents adopting babies and children...not embryos. Embryo Donation, on the other hand, means to me that one couple is donating their embryos to another couple in hopes that those embryos "make the thaw", implant into a uterus, and become a fetus and then born. There are so many places along the donation route where the embryos do not become a "take home baby". Don't get me wrong, I know that it CAN happen, but to call it adoption for something that isn't even alive yet? I am not convinced. What are your thoughts? Adoption? Donation? Your call!

Sharon

http://infertilityanswers.org/

Adoption is taking on a whole new meaning. There is a relatively new and unknown way to adopt. It’s embryo adoption. Before you begin harping on the side of controversy, stop and listen to the facts.
1. According to the CDC, an average of about 31% of embryos successfully implant after transfer.
2. There are an estimated 500,000 embryos frozen in the US according to the National Embryo Donation Center.
3. Embryo adoption is cheaper and often quicker than in vitro fertilization and traditional infant or child adoption.
4. According to the National Embryo Donation Center, as of the end of 2007, there were 105 viable babies made or born through the embryo adoption process.
To Learn more visit:http://www.embryodonation.org/index.html
Embryos are created through IVF, in vitro fertilization. Some embryos are frozen and stored for future procedures. However, not all of the embryos are used. Parents are then faced with a dilemma. What are their options?They can:
1. Thaw the embryos and let them die
2. Donate to science
3. Donate for adoption
This local article is about an AZ couple who fulfilled the dream of having a family through embryo adoption.http://www.kpho.com/health/19054422/detail.html
Interested in donating or adopting, but need more information? Visit:http://www.embryoadoption.org/

http://www.nightlight.org/adoption-services/snowflakes-embryo/

http://www.resolve.org/site/PageServer?pagename=lrn_do_emb

http://www.miracleswaiting.org/

http://www.embryosalive.com/

http://www.embryoadoption.com/

Infertility Answers, Inc~Research is Key

If you are considering Egg or Sperm Donation, Surrogacy or Embryo Donation, research is KEY! There are so many facets to the Third Party Family Building journey that it's imperative that those seeking to be donors or surrogates do their research as well as Intended Parents looking for the services offered from women advertising themselves as "good candidates". You can find information regarding these issues and more, including medical and legal concerns world wide, on Infertility Answers, Inc. http://infertilityanswers.org/ This easy to navigate site is perfect for those just starting to understand the complexities of Third Party Family Building.

Wishing you all the best!
Sharon LaMothe

Embryo Donation: One Option for Intended Parents

Intended Parents who have been lucky enough to have had a child or more through ART may still have several frozen embryos waiting for a decision to be made as to what their future holds. Are the IP's going to try for another child? Perhaps they are done with building their own family and are considering donating the embryos to science for embryonic stem cell research. Maybe they believe that destroying them is the best thing for their piece of mind. And, of course, there is Embryo Donation.

Embryo Donation happens when, typically, genetic parents donate the embryos to a Fertility Clinic or Embryo Bank where they are Cryogenically preserved until a carrier is found for them. Most often the process of matching the embryo(s) with the prospective parents is conducted by the agency itself, at which time the clinic transfers ownership of the Embryos to the prospective parents. The amount of screening the embryo has already undergone is largely dependent on the Genetic Parents' own IVF clinic and process. The embryo recipient may elect to have her own embryologist conduct further testing.

Below I have listed several web sites that may answer any further questions regarding Embryo Donation. This is a very personal and private decision and one that requires a lot of thought. Researching the options will give a much clearer picture and hopefully allow you to make the best decision for YOU!

Sharon
www.InfertilityAnswers.net


http://dreamababy.com/embryo-donation.htm
http://www.bethany.org/A55798/bethanyWWW.nsf/0/13319FF58869FDA585257275007237B8
http://www.cbhd.org/resources/reproductive/cunningham_2003-04-17.htm
http://www.embryoconnection.org/
http://www.nightlight.org/snowflakeadoption.htm