Embryo donation for reproductive use in Australia

This article presents empirical findings on embryo donation for the reproductive use of others in Australia, drawn from a larger research project about the impact of law, ethical guidelines and clinical policies and practices upon the decisions that people make about stored embryos created during IVF. The authors interviewed 10 people who had actually donated embryos for the reproductive use of others and four people who were recipients of donated embryos. In addition, another nine interviewees had attempted to donate, or had a strong desire to donate, but had been prevented from doing so. The article places the present findings in the context of Australian and international research on widespread unwillingness to donate for reproductive use of others. The article then examines why the donors interviewed here were willing and able to donate, and presents findings concerning the donation process and models in operation, including matching and counseling practices and the contentious question of directed donation. The article also reports the experiences of several would-be or thwarted donors and examines the rationales for some of the external barriers to donation identified in the course of the study.