Embryo Adoption

[UnderTheNameOfSanders]

I listened to an article on yesterday's R4 Woman's Hour which I though was interesting.

It was saying that donated embryos/eggs has dropped in UK since rights were given for the child to contact genetic parents when an adult.

It then went on to talk about embryo 'adoption' in the USA. Basically the same system they have for relinquished babies, whereby the genetic parent can choose the adopters, only this time choosing who gets any left over embryos after IVF. Also covering the around of 'contact' afterwards. The interviewed 2 couples who had donated/received and they spoke about viewing the child a bit like a nephew, with some regular though not frequent contact. The children in the 2 families knew each other and know they are related genetically.

I wondered whether it would translate across the pond to us?
Did anyone else hear it?

[Italiangreyhound]

I didn't hear it but now I want to listen in!

Before adoption we had treatment with donor eggs but it was unsuccessful.

I like the idea of being in touch and would happily have facilitated contact if practical.

I like the idea of embryo adoption and in some cases in the USA there are checks on prospective families just like for adoption, although the 'donating' woman/man/couple did not necessarily get to choose with the one I heard of.

In the USA I think they call them snowflake babies.

It is possible to have treatment with donated embryos in the UK but the legal situation re children knowing who their genetic parents are is (as far as I am aware) that they can find out as adults, so an ongoing relationship would not be facilitated.

I think the future will be more transparent about these things. That would be what I would have wanted, which is why we chose treatment in the UK where the child can eventually know who the donors are' as opposed to some countries where it is all anonymous.

[Italiangreyhound]

so an ongoing relationship would not be facilitated while the children were children. (but this is as far as I know).

[UnderTheNameOfSanders]

I'm guessing that because the USA has the culture of open adoptions for relinquished babies (and a lot more of them due to social pressures, anti abortion, and lack of state financial support ??) with them being organised via agencies but direct contact before birth, then making the move to open embryo donation makes more sense to them.

I feel as if people in the UK would find the whole concept very unusual and therefore wouldn't want to do it?

[Italiangreyhound]

In the USA the embryo adoption I've seen is from a Christian organisation.

I think embro adoption makes sense but the name is very American!