The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced new grant guidelines for unused or leftover frozen human in vitro fertilization (IVF) embryos.
Those safeguards include transparency and screening mandates.
“Program materials and counseling should affirmatively present open or identified donation — in which the child will have access to information about, and where possible contact with, their biological family — as the preferred and recommended model,” the directive states. “The reasons for this preference, grounded in the child's developmental and identity interests, should be clearly communicated to donors and recipients.”
To increase public awareness and support services for frozen human embryos, the Office of Population Affairs (OPA) announced up to $1.9 million in funding.
Applications are due by July 10. The awards will go to an estimated six public or private organizations through a competitive process.
“Embryo adoption is understood by this program as a response to the existence of surplus embryos already created,” HHS said. “The program places the best interests of the child at the center of all activities.”
According to the mandate, screening protocol before an embryo can be placed with prospective parents would include home visits and studies, background checks, as well as physical and mental health evaluations.
“OPA affirms the vital role of faith-based organizations in this work and encourages their continued participation as recipients, subrecipients, and partners under this program,” the 62-page document states.
Chosen faith-based partners would manage community outreach, handle family matching, and ensure all participating couples complete the background checks, home studies, and psychological counseling required to protect the long-term identity and welfare of the child.
The most notable pioneers of the embryo adoption movement and past recipients of the HHS Embryo Adoption Awareness grants are Nighlight Christian Adoptions, National Embryon Donation Center, and Bethany Christian Services.
In Prato-Morrison v. Doe, an infertile couple’s embryos involving the University of California, Irvine fertility clinic were transferred to a third party without their knowledge, and a California appellate court ruled that the biological parents whose genetic material had been otherwise implanted did not have the right to disrupt the lives of the resulting children and their guardians to seek parentage or visitation.
Under the new HHS guidelines, programs that ensure the biological and adoptive parents have reached informed, mutual agreement regarding the appropriateness of the embryo placement are a priority.