Consent process and disposition options for embryos preserved following in vitro fertilization

Sondage - Qu’avez-vous pensé de l’État des connaissances : Dispositions des embryons

In Québec, the only province that has adopted a legislative framework specifically for assisted procreation (AP), individuals involved in a parental project must indicate their intentions regarding the disposition of embryos that exceed their reproductive needs as soon as IVF treatments begin.

However, when the time comes for the actual disposition of preserved embryos, clinicians often feel unease about the validity of consent obtained only at the beginning of the treatments. A stored embryo is indeed unique biological material, and its disposition raises ethical concerns both for clinicians and individuals involved in parental projects.

Dans cet état de connaissances, de nombreux enjeux ont été soulevé ainsi que plusieurs considérations sur le plan des dimensions socioculturelle, populationnelle, clinique, organisationnelle et économique.

In this state of knowledge report, numerous issues were raised as well as several considerations relating to socio-cultural, populational, clinical, organizational and economic dimensions. Supporting clinicians so that they can adequately accompany individuals involved in parental projects at the different key moments in this complex decision-making process is essential. The consolidation of various types of tools resulting from interdisciplinary and inter-organizational collaboration into a single kit appears to be an attractive option to adequately support professionals at assisted procreation centres.