Snowflake Babies

Disadvantages and Failures

Not all of these embryos are healthy. It is the healthiest embryos, sometimes referred to as the “prettiest” embryos, that are transferred to the uterus, usually between days two and six after fertilization. These embryos are composed of approximately between four cells and 100 cells. When it is decided that the remaining frozen embryos are no longer wanted by those from whom they have been retrieved, organizations such as Nightlight Christian Adoption, using language of adoption for embryos, try to arrange for “adoption” by select couples.

While such adoptions are encouraged by these organizations, it is important to note that, especially for couples experiencing infertility, using leftover embryos from couples who themselves have compromised fertility does not provide the best chance of achieving a good pregnancy outcome.

[Page 1363]Practical and ethical concerns over both IVF and embryo adoption procedures are being debated. There are already hundreds of thousands of embryos that remain frozen in tanks and that require monitoring and storage expenses. While some of these embryos are under the active control of their genetic originators, others are left unused, many not viable or optimal for their intended use. Options for frozen embryos include keeping them frozen, destroying them, donating them for stem cell or other research, or donating them for implantation-each of which has practical, legal, social, and moral consequences in need of careful consideration.