Key Takeaways
- Between 1 million and 10 million embryos are believed to be frozen in the US, with many clients losing touch with clinics.
- Clinics often hesitate to destroy embryos without up-to-date consent forms, leading to what some term “abandoned” embryos.
- Options for those wishing to discard embryos include standard disposal or “compassionate transfer,” though the decision remains emotionally challenging.
The Dilemma of Frozen Embryos
The exact number of frozen embryos in the United States remains uncertain, but estimates suggest there are between 1 million and 10 million stored in clinics. Many of these embryos have been preserved for years or even decades, a choice that some intended parents have made intentionally, while others have lost contact with their fertility clinics. As a result, some former clients have stopped paying for storage fees, leaving clinics reluctant to destroy embryos due to lack of updated consent forms.
Sigal Klipstein, a reproductive endocrinologist at InVia Fertility Center and chair of the ethics committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, points out that clinics prefer to maintain embryos rather than risk discarding them. She explains that the emotional weight of destroying embryos complicates the decision-making process for many. “It’s just very emotionally difficult for someone who has wanted so much to have a family,” she states.
Klipstein regularly addresses the issue of leftover embryos with her patients, emphasizing that even those who initially feel certain about their choices may later have regrets. Some patients have discarded embryos and returned after a few months expressing a desire to have kept them, wishing they had retained what could have been their best chance at pregnancy.
For individuals who decide they want to discard embryos, there are several options available. The most common method involves exposing the embryos to air before disposal. Alternatively, some clinics offer a procedure referred to as “compassionate transfer,” where embryos are transferred at a time or location that greatly reduces the possibility of resulting in a pregnancy. This method is viewed by some as a more natural way to dispose of embryos, but it is not suitable for everyone.
Casey Holligan, who has experienced multiple miscarriages, expresses apprehension about compassionate transfer, fearing it might cause unnecessary emotional and physical distress. Like many others facing this decision, she finds it profoundly difficult to let go of embryos that represent deeply desired possibilities for parenthood.
In summary, navigating the fate of frozen embryos poses unique challenges for individuals who have undergone in vitro fertilization (IVF). When families reach a point of completion in their family plans, they often find themselves in unexpected emotional territories regarding these embryos, which were initially created with the hope of creating life. The complexity of the decision reflects the broader emotional landscape surrounding fertility and parenthood.
The content above is a summary. For more details, see the source article.