In most U.S. states human embryos are considered property. As such, when a donating couple chooses an adopting couple the transfer of the embryos from one party to the other is completed via legal contract language. The term embryo adoption and the process of embryo adoption gives both the families and the embryos the respect deserved for a process where the ultimate outcome is the birth of a child.

There are a number of fertility clinics that offer embryo donation programs. The majority of the programs offer primarily anonymous embryo donation. Some programs will facilitate a 'directed donation' [the donor chooses the receipient]. Fertility clinics will offer varying levels of counseling before the placing and receiving parties make their decisions. The legal requirements of embryo transfer may or may not be part of the clinic's program. If not, the parties will need to secure the assistance of an attorney. When a donation is made anonymously through a fertility clinic the safeguards established by a reputable adoption agency are not applied.

Adoption agencies offer a deeper level of assistance to parents considering embryo adoption. Agencies are knowledgable about adoption law and the social experience of dealing with changing family dynamics. They provide a neutral perspective on the present and future needs of families involved in adoption. Adoption professionals have learned over the years that 'open adoption' is a more successful form of adoption than 'closed adoption'. In a traditional 'open adoption', the birth mother has information about the placement of her child and is able, if she so chooses, to stay in contact, either directly or indirectly, with the adopting parents. In addition, adoption professionals have learned that as a result of the history of 'closed adoptions' in the United States from the 1950's through the 1980's adoptees were left with unanswered questions about their medical histories. Oftentimes, these children were left with an urgent, lasting desire to search out and find their birth parents.

It must be acknowledged that any child adopted as an embryo should/will eventually know that he or she is not the genetic offspring of their parents. It is important that the adopting parents receive appropriate counseling to prepare them for discussing the issue of adoption with their children and addressing the questions that will inevitably arise. The better prepared the parents are, the more likely they will be to avoid a traumatic situation for their children.

Contact any of the fertility clinics located in our Finding Help section to see if they offer a donation program. The following agencies offer embryo adoption programs or services:

www.snowflakes.org

www.bethanychristianservices.org

www.embryoconnection.org

www.embryosalive.org

www.prenataladoption.com

www.miracleswaiting.org

home :: about :: finding help :: faqs :: personal experiences
video encouragement :: articles :: contact us :: site map