Religious beliefs shape embryo donation decisions among recipients
Perceptions and reflections of embryo donation recipients: a qualitative follow-up study (Salari, 2025)
Salari, S., El-Gayar, M., Lee, S., Mangels, J., Flyckt, R., Madeira, J., Klock, S., & Lindheim, S. R. (2025). Perceptions and reflections of embryo donation recipients: A qualitative follow-up study. Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinical Medicine, 5, Article e000075. https://doi.org/10.1136/gocm-2024-000075
Geographic Region: United States
Research Question: What are the experiences and perceptions of embryo donation recipients regarding their family-building journey through embryo donation?
Design: Semi-structured phone interviews conducted from August 2022 to March 2023. Coding conducted by five independent researchers to identify themes. Participants were part of a previous quantitative survey-based study that recruited from three embryo donation programs (Snowflake/Nightlight Christian Adoptions, Embryo Donation International, or National Embryo Donation Center).
Sample: 28 participants with average age of 48 years (range: 34-69). Mostly white (96%), mostly Christian/Catholic (92%), all Heterosexual, mostly married (92%). Voluntary participation from larger subject group of 118 participants.
Key Findings
Religious beliefs played a major role in how participants decided to pursue embryo donation, with many choosing faith-based programs that aligned with their values. Recipients felt that using donated embryos was a good way to help create their family while making use of embryos that already existed. Participants explained that having religious beliefs that valued giving embryos a chance at life made them feel more confident about their decision.
The participants reported being very happy with their choice to use donor embryos and enthusiastically supported the process. All participants said they would recommend embryo donation to others looking to build their families.
Most recipients (85%) told their children about being conceived through embryo donation, and they weren't worried about how this knowledge would affect their children's well-being or social development. They were comfortable with the fact that their children might have genetic siblings in other families through the same donor. They strongly believed in being open and honest about using donor embryos, both with their children and with others in their lives.
Many described feeling an immediate bond with their children during pregnancy and after birth, with any initial worries about bonding quickly disappearing. They found that sharing information about donor conception with their children from an early age helped make it a natural part of their family's story.
Limitations: Homogeneous sample (predominantly white, Christian/Catholic. Self-selected participation may introduce selection bias. Perspectives limited to recipients rather than children's experiences. Gender distribution of participants not reported. Ages of children not specified in the study.
Applications: The study provides insight on how Christian families approach family building via embryo donation, highlighting a trend toward early disclosure of and normalizing the donor conception experience.
Funding Source: No specific funding declared
Lead Author: Salomeh Salari is affiliated with the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at the University of Iowa Health Care, with expertise in reproductive medicine and family building through third-party reproduction.
Regulatory Context
There are no comprehensive federal laws regulating gamete donation or donor conception in the U.S. The process is largely self-regulated by the fertility industry.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does have some oversight, primarily related to screening and testing of donors for infectious diseases.
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) provides ethical guidelines and recommendations for donation practices. However, these are not legally binding.
There are no legal limits on compensation for donors. A 2011 court ruling (Kamakahi v. ASRM) determined that price caps on donor compensation violate antitrust laws.
ASRM recommends a minimum age of 21 for gamete donors, but this is not legally mandated.
The U.S. does not have laws prohibiting anonymous donation.
Some states have enacted their own laws regarding aspects of assisted reproduction, and parentage, but these vary widely.