Options – Embryos

After completing IVF treatment, many couples have questions regarding options for their frozen embryos. We have put together this resource to present some options and explanations of how they work. To find out more about embryo options, please contact Embryo Options at 844.234.6241 or email [email protected].

Disposal

Patients may choose to dispose of their frozen embryos. Patients will be required to sign a Disposal Consent and the embryos will be disposed of according to American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) ethical standards which require proper documentation of embryo handling and disposition, as well as a properly executed consent to dispose.

Resource(s):

American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) Statement on Disposition of Abandoned Embryos

Donate to research

The use of embryos in research is a high profile topic in the media today. Recently, many patients have inquired about this option. Patients interested in pursuing this option are responsible for identifying the research program they are interested in donating their embryos to. The ultimate responsibility of transferring the embryos to any research program lies with the patient, however, CARS will help with identifying shippers and executing the appropriate release/consent forms, as well as any other required paperwork. The patient is also responsible for the cost of embryo storage until they are transferred out.

Listed below are institutions we have worked with in the past. Government funding for embryonic research is limited, therefore, many research programs are no longer accepting embryos. Information, including contact numbers for these programs, changes on a daily basis. It is the responsibility of the patient to initiate and follow through with the program of choice.

Resource(s):

Stanford School of Medicine

Center for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research and Education

Email: [email protected]
Website: https://med.stanford.edu/hesc.html

Long-term storage

The Center for Advanced Reproductive Services is not equipped for the long-term storage of frozen embryos. Once embryos have been stored with us for 5 years, and it is desired that they continue to be frozen and stored, we will require that they are moved to a storage facility that specializes in the long-term storage of frozen embryos. The ultimate responsibility of this transition lies with the patient. However, the Center will help with identifying shippers and executing the appropriate release/consent forms.

Resource(s):

ReproTech, Ltd
1944 Lexington Avenue North
Roseville, MN 55113
reprotech.com
Email: [email protected]

www.reprotech.com

CARS Resources

Center for Advanced Reproductive Services release/consent forms

19-Consent Disposal

20-Consent Transfer In

21-Consent-Transfer-Out

40-Notarized Signature Page

*Consents, other than for disposal of embryos, executed and witnessed in our office do not require a notary.
*Consents executed outside of our practice and not witnessed by a member of our staff, and all embryo disposal consents do require a notary.

To find out more about embryo options, please contact Embryo Options at 844.234.6241 or email [email protected].

Additional Organizations

Embryo Donation International (EDI)
www.embryodonation.com
Embryo Donation International (EDI) has been performing embryo donation, I.V.F. and A.R.T. procedures since 2001 making them one of the most experienced embryo donation facilities in the world.

RENEW Biobank/Center for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research and Education/Stanford Medicine
The RENEW Biobank is located at the Center for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research and Education (hESC) in the Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine Institute. The Center builds on the established excellence of the Institute, in combination with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, by focusing on four areas of primary importance in stem cells research. For more information, please contact the RENEW Biobank at (408) 426-5586 or renew-biobank@lists.stanford.edu