Embryo donation programs and policies in North America: survey results andimplications for health and mental health professionals

Objective: To use survey results from Society of Assisted Reproductive Tech nology to describe program policies regarding embryo donation, report proto cols used for the disposition of cryopreserved embryos, and discuss clarifi cation of guidelines governing ethical and psychosocially informed embryo d onation. Method(s): A 66-item questionnaire was sent to the 312 Society of Assisted Reproductive Technology programs, generating 108 responses. Result(s): Seventy-eight (72%) of 108 programs offer embryo donation. Forty (37%) have actually performed donation, with 246 cycles completed and 53 " take-home babies." Disposition agreements for donors address divorce (92%) and death (90%). Only 28% require that potential donors undergo psychologic evaluation. Ninety-five percent of programs do not compensate donors. Seve nty-one percent require a complete medical and psychologic history and 10% require genetic karyotyping. Three percent limit the number of donations. E ligible recipients include married couples (100%), unmarried couples (61%), lesbian couples (55%), and single women (59%). Sixty-four percent of progr ams require psychologic screening. Storage limits range from 2-10 years. Fo rty-nine percent of programs have unclaimed embryos in storage. Conclusion(s): Embryo donation is more often contemplated than performed. V ariability in program procedures and policies suggests that guidelines need to be clarified. The complexity of the psychosocial and ethical issues und erscores the importance of a routine, comprehensive psychologic assessment. (Fertil Steril(R) 2000; 73:215-20. (C) 2000 by American Society for Reprod uctive Medicine.)