Adoption, Not Donation

Exploring Embryo Adoption

By Tracy Doerr

Adopting mothers must be physically able to carry a child to term. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) suggests that the genetic parents have current blood work results dated at least 6 months post conception. ASRM currently recommends the following blood tests: AIDS (antibodies to HIV I and HIV II), Hepatitis (HbsAG, antibodies to hepatitis B and C, and E core antibody), Syphilis (VDRL [RPR] if positive, then FTA or MHATP) and blood typing.

Many state laws determine that a woman who gives birth to a child is his/her parent, and few states have any statutes covering embryo adoption. All reputable specialists in this field recommend that contractual documents be drawn up between the genetic and adopting parents that clearly define the agreement.

Some programs, like Snowflakes, have the same type of agreement that is used in traditional adoptions. A home study is prepared on the adopting family that includes screening and education. The genetic family is responsible for selecting a family to raise their genetic child as opposed to the doctor in a clinic making the selection of a family, and they relinquish "parental rights" before the embryos are transferred. However, there are many unregulated programs and no consistent policies.

Agency program fees average around $5,000. Costs can include a home study, file maintenance, facilitating communication between genetic and adopting families, preparation of contracts, relinquishments and other legal paperwork, counseling for both sides, facilitating communication between clinics and doctors to ensure that requirements are met for the transfer of the embryos between states and coordination of shipping of the embryos. Medical expenses vary by provider from $800 to $2,500 for an embryo transfer

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