TTM about the Donor Embryo situation in Canada/Ontario?

Manada

I'm curious if anyone else is working through this.   I'm pretty familiar with the Assisted Human Reproduction Act, and have heard about some of the agencies who have brokered egg donor and surrogacy deals (and the one that just got raided)....  but I am curious about whether any of you have navigated the process of donating, or receiving donated embryos, in Canada - or even more specifically, Ontario.

Our clinic only allows 3 options if you don't use your embryos:  Destroy them, Donate them to Research, or Donate them anonymously.    I also have a feeling that there is a fairly hefty "fee" associated with receiving anonymous embryos through them -- but also know that the waiting lists are so long, and so few embryos are donated that way that it's basically hopeless in our area.

So I'm thinking now about known donations.  And interested in knowing more.   My partner and I are a queer couple - which I assume excludes us pretty much immediately from most of the faith-based embryo "adoption" programs in the US, and the single one that's starting up here in Ontario.    We haven't really talked about it (we are still finishing up a disappointing IVF cycle) ---- but I am pretty sure that we would be totally open, and would probably prefer, an "open" type situation where we knew the donating family or other recipients of the donor embryos/eggs, so that our children could meet any donor siblings eventually.

I don't even know where one might start with that, or what the rules/expectations are legally, financially, etc....    The AHR-act forbids transfer of money, but allows a gift, but AFAIK many clinic policies may add additional roadblocks....  

What's the landscape?  Anyone been there in Canada?

liz4paws

Hi there - while I don't know the specific answer to your question in Canada, but I know a lot about it in the US. Also, there is a secret facebook group I started that has something like 170+ members now. It's very active, and I'm pretty sure we have some Canadians there. If you are investigating using donor embryos, you're more than welcome to join! There are people using all kinds of ways to do donor embryos - agencies, clinics, and arranging them themselves. Yes, many are faith based, but I assure you that many are not. Perhaps you could join and ask there? If not, I can ask for you and report back. Just let me know!

Manada

Hi @Liz4Paws,  Thanks!  I think I'll wait and see how this cycle wraps up first, and then start the real research once we are through that process.   I don't want to put a bunch of questions out to that community before we are ready to really consider the answers.

@jalara48 - thanks for the ivf.ca tip!   I've glanced at it, but haven't really read.  My basic understanding is that if we do end up looking for donated embryos we will just have to put ourselves out there and see who replies huh?   I've heard that there can be quite a "black market" out there where some people will actually offer to sell you their extras for huge amounts of money (ie. more than the expense of continued storage, etc...) - and we're a bit leery of getting into such a situation, especially if we hope to develop a relationship with any donor relations to our children.  

very interesting.   Thank you both for weighing in.  

liz4paws

@Mananda - YGPM!

Manada

@Liz4paws - replied! And thanks.