Embryo donation: Counselling practice issues and dilemmas within the context of identity-release donor programmes

• Published in: Patient education and counseling 2023-03, Vol.108, p.107616-107616, Article 107616
• Main Authors: Goedeke, Sonja, Rodino, Iolanda S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Australia; Child; Clinical practice; Counseling; Counselling; Dilemmas; Embryo Disposition - psychology; Embryo donation; Humans; Legislation; Oocyte Donation; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted - psychology; Tissue Donors - psychology
• ISSN: 0738-3991; 1873-5134
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2022.107616

Embryo donation (ED) involves the donation of surplus embryos post family formation to others in need. Commensurate with Australian and New Zealand legislation and policy, ED is practiced as an identity-release programme shaped by four paramount principles. These include: the need to consider the longitudinal health and well-being of donor-conceived children born from assisted reproductive technologies (ART); recognition that offspring should be made aware of and be able to access information about their genetic origins; awareness that the short and long-term health and psychological welfare of other stakeholders (i.e., recipients and donors) should be ensured; and finally, that all donations are altruistic. Whilst embedded in ART legislation or professional guidelines, how these principles are operationalized through counselling in both countries remains variable. In this paper, we draw upon Australian and New Zealand research, legislation and policy shaping the counselling milieu. We highlight some of the key clinical issues that counsellors need to explore with participants of an ED arrangement and the implications of these as they apply to dilemmas within counselling practice such as counsellor roles and responsibilities. •Embryo donation in Australia and New Zealand is shaped by legislation and policy guidelines.•These prioritise the well-being of donors, recipients and donor-conceived childrenxx.•Counselling is recommended but the content is not mandated, leading to inconsistencies.•Research on stakeholder experiences highlights key issues for counselling practice.•These issues raise questions as to counsellor roles and responsibilities.