|
| |
|
 |
| Egg Donation |
|
Donated eggs may be an option for any woman who, for whatever reasons, is unable to use her own eggs. In our clinic, this treatment is restricted to women up to the age of 50 years old.
The main indications for Egg Donation treatment are early menopause, persistently poor or failed response to ovulation induction drugs, poor quality eggs leading to multiple failed IVF attempts, or when the female partner is a carrier of a serious genetic disorder.
Eggs may be obtained from anonymous or known donors, or from other patients as a result of Egg Sharing. In accordance with the HFEA Code of Practice, an egg donor should be between 18-35 years old.
|
| |
|
Egg Sharing
There is a serious national shortage of egg donors and long waiting lists are often encountered in assisted conception units. Egg sharing was introduced as a means of overcoming the lack of donor eggs. The Egg Sharing arrangement involves two parties.
The Donor Couple is a couple requiring IVF themselves. The couple may be offered the option of entering an egg sharing scheme whereby the female partner shares/ donates half of her eggs during her treatment and thus becomes an egg sharer. An egg sharer will be entitled to free treatment except for the cost of her drugs.
The Recipient Couple is the couple requiring donor eggs. They will receive donor eggs from a patient undergoing IVF treatment at the same time. A potential donor is medically screened and counselled for suitability. Her menstrual cycle is synchronised with that of one or two potential recipients in order to enable treatment to commence simultaneously.
The Herts & Essex Fertility Centre has a relatively large and successful egg donation programme. Due to the complexity of the treatment and the issues involved, it is not possible to elaborate in great detail in this brochure. If you have any queries regarding egg donation/egg sharing, please contact one of our Fertility Nurse Coordinators for further details.
|
| |
|
Is using donor sperm, eggs or embryos anonymous?
From 1 April 2005, all children born as a result of sperm, egg or embryo donation, will be able to access the identity of their donor when they reach the age of 18 years old.
The regulations regarding information on donors will not be retrospective. All donors before April 2005 will remain anonymous.
|
| |
|
Why has donor anonymity been removed?
Many people believe that children born from donated sperm, egg or embryo should have access to information regarding their genetic origins. The HFEA supports the removal of donor anonymity.
|
| |
|
Will the removal of anonymity affect the future availability of donors?
It is acknowledged that ending donor anonymity may seriously affect the future availability of donors. However, the HFEA feels that this practical consideration should not outweigh the more fundamental principle that donor offspring should have knowledge of their genetic origins, if they so wish.
Under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology (1990) Act, the HFEA was required to set up and maintain a Register of information on donors. The purpose of this Register was to maintain a record of all donors, licensed treatments and children born as a result of donated sperm, eggs or embryos. Under existing regulations, when these children are 18 years old they may ask the HFEA to confirm that they were born as a result of donated sperm, eggs or embryos.
Those intending to marry, including those who plan to do so before their 18th birthday, may also check the HFEA Register to determine if they are related to the person they intend to marry.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
 |
 |
|
|
