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Social egg freezing and donation: waste not, want not
  1. Alex Polyakov1,2,
  2. Genia Rozen1,2
  1. 1 Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  2. 2 Melbourne IVF, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  1. Correspondence to Dr Alex Polyakov, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia; alex.polyakov{at}mivf.com.au

Abstract

The trend towards postponement of childbearing has seen increasing numbers of women turning towards oocyte banking for anticipated gamete exhaustion (AGE banking), which offers a realistic chance of achieving genetically connected offspring. However, there are concerns around the use of this technology, including social/ethical implications, low rate of utilisation and its cost-effectiveness. The same societal trends have also resulted in an increased demand and unmet need for donor oocytes, with many women choosing to travel overseas for treatment. This has its own inherent social, medical, financial and psychological sequelae. We propose a possible pathway to address these dual realities. The donation of oocytes originally stored in the context of AGE banking, with appropriate compensatory mechanisms, would ameliorate AGE banking concerns, while simultaneously improving the supply of donor oocytes. This proposed arrangement will result in tangible benefits for prospective donors, recipients and society at large.

  • in vitro fertilisation and embryo transfer
  • donation/procurement of organs/tissues
  • allocation of health care resources
  • cryobanking of sperm, ova or embryos

Data availability statement

All data relevant to the study are included in the article.

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Footnotes

  • Contributors Both authors substantially contributed to the concept, writing and revision, and final preparation of this manuscript.

  • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

  • Competing interests None declared.

  • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.

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