Second couple in conflict over frozen embryos

A 37-year old woman is said to be considering legal action against her former husband, after he requested that their frozen embryos be destroyed. Lorraine Hadley wants to use the embryos to have a child without the involvement of Wayne Hadley, who left her three months after their last fertility treatment cycle.

Lorraine and Wayne Hadley started IVF treatment, but when their first attempt was unsuccessful, opted to have the remaining embryos put into frozen storage. Mrs Hadley would like to try again using the embryos, but Mr Hadley, who has had a child with his new partner, had withdrawn his consent to the storage of the embryos. Consequently, the embryos must be destroyed.

The story comes shortly after news of the case of Natalie Evans, who is seeking to prevent the destruction of her frozen embryos. However, both cases are unlikely to succeed, as UK law forbids the storage or use of embryos without the consent of both parties.