HFEA & Liquid Nitrogen Gamete Storage
Sperm, eggs and embryos are stored in liquid nitrogen using cryopreservation (defined as the freezing of cells or whole tissues to sub-zero temperatures—the boiling point of liquid nitrogen). This method preserves living organisms in a state where they can be restored to how they were before freezing.
A cryoprotective compound (a liquid called cryopreservation medium), along with carefully controlled cooling and warming cycles ensure that minimal damage is done to the cells.
However, the freezing process is still somewhat damaging. Therefore, men wishing to donate sperm or have it stored for future use must make 6 sperm deposits for every 1 child they wish to have, due to the 50% survival rate of the sperm in each deposit. The sperm is then put into straw shaped vials, and placed in a storage tank of either liquid nitrogen, or liquid nitrogen vapor. The sub-zero temperatures of the liquid generally range from -150 degrees Celsius, to -196 degrees Celsius. According to HFEA, the storage period for both human gametes and embryos cannot exceed 10 years. HFEA requires a full informed consent from each party that has any relation to the egg, gametes, or embryo, all of which must be stored in accordance with their consents.
Exceptions to the informed consent of gamete storage:
- Consent IS NOT required if the gametes were legally obtained from the person in question before they reached 18 years of age.
- Consent IS NOT required if the person in question is about to undergo a medical procedure which could impair their fertility. In this situation, a licensed medical practitioner can sign off for the storage of the gametes. A medical practitioner can also authorize storage of the gametes, if it is believed to be in the persons best interest.
- Consent IS NOT required if the person in question is under 16 years of age, and is therefore considered incompetent to give consent.
The act states that it is legal to "take" gametes or accept those provided, and store them without a person's consent, if the person is considered incapable, or until they "acquire such capacity."
However, under paragraphs 9 and 10 of HFEA 1990, a person's gametes cannot be legally stored in the UK after their death.
Read more about this topic: Human Fertilisation And Embryology Act 1990
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