'Huge waste' of frozen embryos

Huge numbers of frozen embryos are being destroyed each year because the couples involved are not responding to letters asking what they want done with them. A study published in the Lancet journal last week found that over 900 embryos stored at two Manchester fertility clinics had to be destroyed after the five year storage deadline had expired. 'We are extremely concerned at the high rate of embryo destruction highlighted by this study', said Dr Brian Lieberman, who led the study.

Legally, frozen embryos can be stored for five years initially, and then for a further five years if written consent from both parents is obtained. The authors of the study reviewed the decisions made by couples attending both the non-fee paying IVF Unit at St Mary's Hospital, Manchester, and the fee-paying Manchester Fertility Services unit. Of 1344 embryos frozen between 1988 and 1994 at the two centres, 904 had to be destroyed at the end of the first five years.

Over two thirds of the couples who had attended the private clinic did not respond to two recorded delivery letters, compared to a third of those who attended the non-fee paying unit. The authors believe that the cost of fertility treatment may prevent couples attending the fee-paying unit from using frozen embryos in further conception attempts. The decision not to use frozen embryos in further attempts may also be affected by a previous lack of success.

Dr Lieberman said that simple changes in hospital procedures could cut the numbers of embryos that had to be destroyed. He called for increased counselling for couples with embryos already in storage. 'Donation of embryos to other infertile couples or for research should be discussed actively with those who don't require their embryos fro treatment purposes' he said.