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Hum. Reprod. Advance Access originally published online on May 4, 2009
Human Reproduction 2009 24(8):1930-1938; doi:10.1093/humrep/dep103
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© The Author 2009. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org

Attitudes of couples towards the destination of surplus embryos: results among couples with cryopreserved embryos in Switzerland

Meichun Mohler-Kuo1,4, Ueli Zellweger1, Aysun Duran2, Michael K. Hohl2,3, Felix Gutzwiller1 and Margot Mutsch1

1 Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Zurich, Hirschengraben 84, 8001 Zurich, Switzerland 2 Kantonsspital Baden, Baden, Switzerland 3 University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland

4 Correspondence address. Tel: +41-44-634-46-37; Fax: +41-44-634-49-86; E-mail: m.mohler{at}ifspm.uzh.ch

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate attitudes towards the donation of surplus embryos among couples with cryopreserved embryos/zygotes, and to identify correlates associated with attitudes toward the destinations of surplus embryos/zygotes.

METHODS: Eleven of 19 Swiss in vitro fertilization (IVF) centers in existence in 2004 participated in the survey. Questionnaires were sent to 888 eligible couples; 458 men (52%) and 468 women (53%) returned them.

RESULTS: Fifty-two percent of the participants supported the donation of surplus embryos to other couples, but divided opinions on the disclosure of biological parents’ identities were identified. About 70% of participants indicated that donations of surplus embryos for medical research or therapy should be allowed, following strict regulations. Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed couples’ position on the moral status of an embryo as the strongest predictor of attitudes toward all destinations of surplus embryos. Having children due to IVF/Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) treatment was negatively associated with attitudes towards donations to other couples. Perceived importance of religion, age >40, being a resident of the French-speaking region and unsuccessful IVF/ICSI treatment experiences were predictive of supporting donations for medical research.

CONCLUSIONS: Swiss couples with cryopreserved embryos/zygotes are open to different options related to donating, rather than discarding, surplus embryos.

Key words: surplus embryo donation/attitudes/cryopreservation/moral status of embryo

Submitted on September 1, 2008; resubmitted on March 13, 2009; accepted on March 24, 2009.


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