Factors associated with willingness to donate embryos for research among couples undergoing IVF

Abstract

). Her research is focused on patient-centred health care, namely in the field of infertility and assisted reproductive technologies.Abstract Between 2011 and 2012, 213 heterosexual couples undergoing fertility treatments in a Portuguese public fertility centre were systematically recruited to assess factors associated with willingness to donate embryos for research. Data were collected by questionnaire. Most couples (87.3%; 95% CI 82.1 to 91.5) were willing to donate embryos for research, citing benefits for science, health and infertile patients. Almost all couples (94.3%; 95% CI 89.8 to 96.7) reached consensus about the decision. Willingness to donate was more frequent in women younger than 36 years (adjusted OR 3.06; 95% CI 1.23 to 7.61) and who considered embryo research to be very important (adjusted OR: 6.32; 95% CI 1.85 to 21.64), and in Catholic men (adjusted OR 4.16; 95% CI 1.53 to 11.30). Those unwilling to donate reported conceptualizing embryos as children or living beings and a lack of information or fears about embryo research. Men with higher levels of trait anxiety (adjusted OR 0.90; 95% CI 0.84 to 0.96) were less frequently willing to donate. Future research on embryo disposition decision-making should include the assessment of gender differences and psychosocial factors. Ethically robust policies and accurate information about the results of human embryo research are required.

Couples' willingness to donate embryos for research: a longitudinal study

“…Although no significant associations were found between willingness to donate embryos for research over time and anxiety, depression, social support, and partner relationship, there is a need for more studies in other contexts, and including different measures of these variables, to validate these results. Also, the fact that there is no research project with human embryos being currently developed in Portugal calls attention to the level of informed choice regarding the willingness of couples undergoing IVF to donate embryos for research . In fact, ethically robust policies and practices sensitive to patients' information needs are required, including the provision of accurate information on human embryo research .…”

“…Also, the fact that there is no research project with human embryos being currently developed in Portugal calls attention to the level of informed choice regarding the willingness of couples undergoing IVF to donate embryos for research . In fact, ethically robust policies and practices sensitive to patients' information needs are required, including the provision of accurate information on human embryo research .…”

Reproductive trajectories and social-biological dimensions in parenthood: Portuguese version of the Meaning of Parenthood scale

“…The third sample is composed of 149 heterosexual infertile couples who were participants of a wider project about couples’ decisions regarding the disposition of their cryopreserved embryos. 24 Briefly, in 2011 to 2012, all patients undergoing IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection in 1 public reproductive medicine centre in Porto, Portugal, were consecutively and systematically invited to participate in the study on the day biological samples were collected to diagnose pregnancy, using the human chorionic gonadotropin test – βhCG, about 15 days after embryo transfer. About 4 months later, they were invited to complete the MOP scale, sent by mail.…”

Embryo donation: Survey of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) patients and randomized trial of complimentary counseling

“…If patients view the embryo as a “project,” they are more likely to donate to research [25]. Patients generally had uncertainties [26] about donation and ultimately chose not to donate due to lack of information or fears about embryo research [27].…”