Death Row for Host Embryos

We have recently discovered a very large problem for people in our situation.

We have discovered that as soon as embryos for surrogacy are created they are on Death Row. They have only FIVE years to have a try at comming into the world.

Due to the HFEA regulations embryos intended for surrogacy must be destroyed after FIVE years. If we had a working uterus we would be able to keep them until we were 55. Unfortunately this has not been explained to people, we are looking into some to help us with this problem as it concerns our group dramatically. For Martin and Michelle time will run out for their embryos in a matter of days.

Summary

Parliament has passed regulations to extend the current statutory period for embryos in certain circumstances. These take effect from 1 May 1996. The normal maximum statutory storage period for embryos remains 5 years.

There are 3 principal circumstances in which the maximum storage period for embryos may be extended beyond 5 years. These are as follows:

• Where the woman being treated or her partner, if he provided the sperm, has, or is likely to develop, "significantly impaired" fertility
• Where the woman being treated or her partner, if he provided the sperm, carries a significant gene defect
• Where the woman being treated or her partner, if he provided the sperm, is, or is likely, to become "prematurely and completely" infertile.

In addition, the following conditions must be satisfied:

• The people whose eggs and sperm have been used to produce the embryos have confirmed in writing that they have no objection to the embryos being stored for more than the normal maximum storage period of 5 years.
• the embryos are stored for the purpose of providing treatment.

However, the five year storage period may not be extended in any case where

• The woman to be treated using the embryos is aged 50 or over when storage begins
• The proposed treatment involves a surrogacy arrangement.

Contents

This guidance falls into 2 parts:

• Information about the regulations and revised consent forms which take effect from 1 May 1996.
• Implementing the regulations.