1.7 million human embryos created for IVF thrown away

By Andrew Hough

Official statistics show that almost half of embryos used to help a women conceive through in vitro fertilisation were thrown away during or after the process.

The embryos are created from female eggs and male sperm during the IVF process, with some introduced into the womb, put into storage, discarded as unwanted or used in scientific experiments.

Campaigners last night described the figures, released in response to questions from peers about the level of waste generated in hospitals and fertility clinics, as disturbing.

They were gathered by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), the fertility industry regulator, which has recorded IVF processes over the past 21 years, and made public by Lord Howe, the Health Minister.

Since August 1991 more than 3.5 million human embryos have been created, producing only 235,480 “gestational sacs” or evidence of successful implantation.

Of the embryos created, almost 840,000 were put into storage for future use and more than 2000 were stored for donation. Almost 5,900 were set aside for scientific research.

Almost 1.4 million embryos were implanted in the hope of beginning pregnancies, with fewer than one in six resulting in a pregnancy.

Nearly 1.7 million were discarded unused and a further 23,480 were discarded after being taken out of storage.

Separate figures show that about one in 50 babies were born through IVF treatment. It is estimated that the cost of a single cycle of treatment is more than £4,000.

Lord Alton, a Crossbench peer, said last night that embryos were being created and thrown away in “industrial” numbers.

He added: “It happens on a day-by-day basis with casual indifference. This sheer destruction of human embryos – most people would not know that it took place on such a scale.”

A HFEA spokesman added: “IVF involves the creation of more embryos than are transferred to the patient so that the best ones can be chosen to start pregnancy.

“Those embryos that are discarded may no longer be needed by the individual or couple for treatment.

“In these circumstances they can decide whether to donate the embryos to a research project, another couple or ask the clinic to destroy them.”

¹)