Overview
IVFAustralia is an experienced fertility clinic providing a comprehensive and supportive donor program to assist people needing donor gametes (egg or sperm) or embryos.
Although using donated gametes and embryos is a relatively simple medical procedure, it is complex psychologically and requires thorough consideration before the decision to proceed.
The donation of eggs, sperm and embryos is a complex and ethically sensitive area. For this reason, IVFAustralia adheres closely to the national
Australian Health Ethics Committee guidelines when providing fertility treatment.
Legal Considerations
In Australia it is illegal to have a commercial (buy or sell) arrangement for human tissue, including sperm, eggs and embryos.
Donated Egg or Sperm:
Under current NSW law, a child born from a donated egg or sperm is deemed to be the child of the birth mother. Donors can be assured that they will be under no legal or financial obligation to the child.
Following recent changes to NSW law, a child born as the result of donor egg or sperm, is legally entitled to identifying information about the biological parent when they turn 18 years of age.
Surrogacy:
In the case of surrogacy, the child is deemed to be the child of the birth mother, and the commissioning couple of the surrogate must legally adopt the child.
It is, however, up to the parents of the child to explain, when they feel appropriate, the way in which the child was conceived. Our experience shows the more openly available the information for children conceived via donated sperm and eggs, the more successful the outcome for everyone.
IVFAustralia does not offer a donor service for women beyond the natural menopause (51 years of age) or to someone whose health could be compromised by a pregnancy.