Donor Program 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.
In 2010 the NSW Health Department established a Central ART(Artificial Reproductive Technology) Donor Register. The
NSW Health Central ART Donor Register will contain information about donors and children born as a result of ART treatment using donated gametes (sperm and egg) and surrogacy.
Individuals conceived using donated gametes or through surrogacy (once they turn 18), their parents and donors will be able to access certain information on the Register.
Surrogacy:
Under the Surrogacy Bill 2010 the commissioning couple can apply for the parentage of the child from the surrogacy arrangement to be transferred to them. The child is deemed to be the child of the birth mother until the parentage order legally takes effect.
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.