Attitudes toward embryo donation among staff at in vitro fertilization clinics

Objective. To examine attitudes towards embryo donation among staff at in vitro fertilization clinics in Sweden. Design. Descriptive questionnaire study. Setting. University-based in vitro fertilization clinic. Sample. Study participants were the staff at all in vitro fertilization clinics in Sweden. Methods. A questionnaire with questions regarding different aspects of embryo donation was sent to the 338 healthcare professionals working at Swedish in vitro fertilization clinics. Main outcome measures. Attitudes towards embryo donation. Results. A total of 207 persons (61%) responded to the questionnaire. A majority of the respondents (77%) considered that embryo donation to infertile couples should be permitted in Sweden. Most respondents (76%), and especially the men (96%), stated that it should be possible to donate surplus embryos for research. Forty-two percent of the respondents agreed with embryo donation to single women. A majority of respondents stated that special requirements with regard to the recipient's age, medical condition and criminal background should potentially be considered. The women stated that there should be special demands made concerning recipients' tobacco (48%) and alcohol abuse (92%). A majority considered that donors should be anonymous to the recipients (66%), but not to the child (9%). Conclusions. Swedish in vitro fertilization staff have positive attitudes concerning embryo donation to infertile couples and also the use of surplus embryos for research.