Correction: New method for egg freezing may improve IVF success rates

In BioNews 471 we published a story which used the term 'freezing' to describe a new embryo preservation technique known as 'vitrification'. It has been brought to our attention that 'freezing' is not an accurate description of the vitrification process, which in fact uses certain chemicals and processes to avoid the formation of potentially damaging ice crystals, and is therefore more accurately described as a way of avoiding freezing.

Furthermore, the story failed to acknowledge that, although promising, the superiority of vitrification over conventional methods of egg preservation has yet to be proven and further studies will be needed to assess its clinical utility before introducing it into routine care.

It was also pointed out to us that this was not in fact the first use of the vitrification procedure in the UK. In the light of these comments, rather than correct the version of the story online, we have decided to remove it entirely. We apologise for any misunderstanding this error may have caused.