PollenTree

IVF Tourism

Why when IVF was first engineered in the UK are we one of the most expensive countries for such treatment? The high cost of IVF in the UK has forced couples to travel abroad for treatment. In addition other countries are so tightly regulated or ban such treatments altogether that couples have to travel to the UK. There is a disparity between countries that needs to be addressed.

For example Britain, Spain, Belgium and Canada permit embryo freezing, egg donation and embryo screening whilst Germany and Italy do not. However the UK has a long waiting list and the numbers of egg and sperm donors has dropped due to a law which no longer protects their identity and due to the fact they can only be paid a maximum of £250 for expenses and lost earnings.

Choosing the right country to have IVF treatment can be a minefield because of the differences in the levels of service clinics are able to offer.

Differences in Regulation

Britain

• Clinics must be licensed by the HFEA.
• Allows embryo freezing, egg and sperm donation and embryo screening for inherited diseases. UK has recently approved the use of hybid embryos for medical research.
• Maximum of two embryos created can be implanted in women under 40 with an absolute maximum of three embryos. UK likely to move to single embryo system.
• No anonymity for donors.
• Will soon allow treatment for lesbians and single women as well as married women.
• Treatment available on NHS but usually only one cycle.

Belgium

• No special regulation, relies on doctors codes of conduct.
• Allows embryo freezing, egg and sperm donation and embryo screening (for therapeutic purposes only).
• Maximum of two embryos created can be implanted where appropriate (but only one embryo for first two cycles).
• Anonymity of donors allowed.
• Allows treatment for lesbians and single women as well as married women.
• Since 2003 patients entitled to up to six cycles of IVF free of charge.

Denmark

• Strict regulation.
• Allows embryo freezing, egg and sperm donation and embryo screening for serious inherited diseases.
• Maximum of two embryos created can be implanted where appropriate.
• Treatment only available to married women or those living with a common law husband.

Germany

• Strict regulation which only allows fertilisation of eggs and creation of pregnancy in the same woman.
• Bans embryo freezing, egg donation and embryo screening for inherited diseases but allows sperm donation.
• Every embryo created must be implanted.
• Treatment limited to married women.

Italy

• Since 2004 it has one of the strictest regulations in Europe.
• Bans embryo freezing, egg and sperm donation and embryo screening for inherited diseases.
• Every embryo created must be implanted and no more than three can be fertilised.
• Treatment limited to married women.

Sweden

• Regulated but no private clinics, IVF must be done through University Hospitals.
• Allows embryo freezing, egg and sperm donation and embryo screening for serious inherited diseases.
• Maximum of two embryos created can be implanted in exceptional circumstances.
• Egg sharing not permitted.
• No anonymity for donors.
• Allows treatment for lesbians and single women as well as married women.

Canada

• Regulated by AHRC
• Allows egg and sperm donation and embryo research under strict regulations.
•  Sperm and eggs to be used to create embryos can only be used with the donor's written consent.
• Donor anonymity allowed but no payments can be made to donors other than reasonable expenses.
• Allows treatment for lesbian and single women as well as married women.

These are examples of just some of the disparities across countries. No wonder there is a growing trade in IVF tourism.

When deciding whether to travel abroad for treatment we need to consider how far clinics are regulated in the country of choice. European countries who are members of the EU or EEA have common standards of quality and safety as a result of the passing of the EU Tissues and Cells Directive which in particular governs the storage and deportation of sperm.