This process has now made it possible for several parents to realize their dreams. The newest method in this series is embryo adoption that combines the principles of artificial reproduction and adoption.

       During the process of IVT, women often produce multiple eggs that get fertilized into multiple embryos. Out of these, only 4-6 embryos are transferred into mother’s womb as per the couple’s wish. The remaining embryos are collected and cryo-preserved at -196°C in liquid nitrogen. If the woman conceives without using all the stored embryos, she may choose to have the remaining embryos destroyed, or donate for research purpose, keep them for donation, or else make them available for adoption. Such embryos can be legally adopted by another infertile woman, a process known as embryo adoption.

       Embryo donation is entirely different from embryo adoption. In case of embryo adoption, all the rights over the embryo or the baby that forms from it are vested with only the adoptive mother. The natural mother does not have any rights over the baby nor can she make any sorts of legal claims. Embryo adoption is particularly suitable for those parents who are concerned about losing their child to biological parents at one or the other point of time. In case of embryo donation, natural mothers have equal rights over the embryo and can make claims at any time in life.

       The prime requisite for women opting for embryo adoption is that they must be healthy and physically fit to bear the load of pregnancy.