How will the reversal of Roe vs. Wade impact the storage of my embryos at ReproTech?
For clients with embryos in storage at our Connecticut, Florida, Minnesota or Nevada locations, currently there is no impact to the storage of your embryos. You have the same control over storing, transferring, donating (when applicable) or discarding your embryos. For ReproTech facilities in these states, nothing has changed.
What if my embryos are stored in your Texas location?
At this time, it is unclear if the trigger law in Texas will prohibit the disposal of IVF embryos in temporary or long-term storage. It could define an IVF embryo in cryostorage in the same manner as it defines embryos with pregnancy that begin at fertilization and, therefore, prevents their disposal. ReproTech is familiar with working with clients and clinics in “prohibitive” states like Louisiana and potentially Texas.
Our Texas facility continues to provide storage for patients in the south central and south eastern regions of the U. S. The storage of oocytes (unfertilized eggs) and sperm in Texas are not impacted by the Supreme Court decision. We recommend that for patients storing embryos in our Texas facility, continuing to store in Texas will be the most convenient option if you plan to use your embryos in the next few years. This is because we have partnerships with several fertility clinics in this region and the shipping distance and cost will be more economical for you.
If you do not plan to use your embryos for an extended period of time, you will always have the option to ship your embryos to another ReproTech location for continued storage or disposition. There may be a shipping fee for this transfer. If you would like to discard your embryos, the governing laws of the state in which the specimens physically reside at the time of disposition are the laws that govern the disposition of the embryos. Rest assured, with ReproTech locations in five states, we will always be able to offer you the same control over your embryos as you’ve always had.
What if I am storing oocytes (eggs) or sperm?
Oocytes (unfertilized eggs) are not subject to any restrictions for storage or discard because they are not embryos. Sperm is also not affected by the Supreme Court decision on 6/24/22. Only embryos are subject to restrictions and personhood considerations in some states.
What if I want to donate my embryos to research?
When you no longer wish to store your embryos, you have the option to donate them to research programs that are available to you at the time of donation. Embryo research programs often depend on funding from a university or a federal or state grant. For this reason, many programs are only open for a small window of time. If there are no research programs available when you are ready to donate, you may instead donate them to a recipient for use through an embryo donation program, continue to store your embryos or discard them.
Many research programs do not accept embryos that were created or are stored in certain states. Where you currently reside may also restrict your donation options due to state laws that apply to whether embryos can be used for research.
View the donation programs ReproTech currently offers to clients storing embryos.
I don’t currently store with ReproTech, how can I transfer my embryos to ReproTech?
For people who live in states with restrictions on embryo disposition or discard, transferring to ReproTech for long-term storage will give you the peace of mind that you will have control over your embryos. If you would like to transfer your embryos to ReproTech, start by completing our new account forms. Review our Fee Schedule to see our low storage and shipping fees.