OUR CYCLE HAS FAILED ..…AGAIN

Is sperm/egg/embryo donation an option?

BUILDING FAMILIES..in different ways

BEFORE CONSIDERING THIRD PARTY PARENTING System check: don’t go from the frying

pan into the fire Consider genetic issues, hidden male

issues (remember older men), endocrinology (macrocytosis), structure, immune, metabolic (insulin resistance), clotting, infection

THIRD PARTY PARENTING Clear egg factor Egg donation Clear sperm donation Sperm donation Combined Double donation Simply failed IVF++ Egg vs DD (male

link) Embryo donation Who? Gestational surrogacyWho?

WHAT IS PARENTHOOD (N=?)Commis.

Genetic

Birth

Nurture

Commis.

Genetic

Birth

Nurture

Embryo donation = Birth x 2 & Nurture x 2 = 4/8(compare adoption (<2/8) to gestational

surrogacy(7/8)

EGG DONATION (7/8) Identifiable or anonymous If identifiable, known (sister/friend)or

other (incl. reciprocal) More information or less information Ethnicity & type of donor

(student/mother) Travel or no travel Shared risk?

SPERM DONATION (7/8) Identifiable or anonymous More heterosexual couples choose

anonymous More choice patients choose identifiable More information or less information Ethnicity & type of donor (Cryos/other) An Irish sperm bank?

DOUBLE DONATION (6/8) A distinct need exists Which should be catered for Regulation Parental model = 6/8 A child to love Deserve to succeed We should support them

SIMPLY FAILED IVF++ Difficult transition w female << 40

(“unfair”) Lack of causal clarity impedes transition Time lapse/PGS has a role (but

expensive) But egg trumps sperm++ “My heart is broken” How to resolve the conflict - own/donor

split? Medical, financial & emotional needs

EMBRYO DONATION (4/8) Does the embryo have siblings? If not, why not? Consanguinity Recipients are very special Need to travel (don’t want my children

to meet my children)

GESTATIONAL SURROGACY (7/8) A medical need Avoid exploitation Legislation (UK/IRL) We owe a duty of care & should provide

LEGAL DEFINITIONS OF PARENTHOOD Male: mostly genetic, evolving Female: mostly by birth, cf Abbott

judgement Gattica: a brave new world (nightmare?) Genetic justice? (rights &

responsibilities) The wisdom of Solomon One step at a time

THEY ARE ALL DIFFERENT

Those who donate sperm & receive sperm

Those who donate & receive eggs Those who donate & receive embryos Those who carry & those they carry for

…BUT THEY ARE ALL THE SAME

A child to love Its not complicated Love makes the world go around Emotional Glue Hope, success, family Questions!

BUILDING FAMILIES..