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IVF in Czech Republic

There infertility treatment is not regulated as strictly as in other European countries. But still there are some limitations. If you consider the option of infertility treatment in the Czech Republic, you definitely need to know about the following legal provisions:

The existing law says that a woman who gave birth to a child is his legally mother. This means that a patient who took advantage of egg donation, and then bear child, according to the law is the mother of the child.

Sperm and eggs donation is completely voluntary action. Anonymity is guaranteed either for a donor or for a recipient. There are a number of conditions for egg donors: it should be a woman 18-35 years old who has no problems with the law.

Donors are not paid the money, only covered the cost of the necessary procedures.

Clinics are required to keep all medical records for thirty years. Variety of checks are hold regularly to ensure that the requirements are met. There are groups of people who are concerned about the lack of long-term control of the donor (we are talking about medical control, of course). It must make sure that during those thirty years a donor will not be appeared injuries and complications associated with the procedure.

Sex selection can be only in a case if it will help to avoid serious genetic diseases. This means if a doctor observes the likelihood of a child inheriting of any genetic diseases that are directly related to the sex he is likely will recommend you to choose another sex to avoid unfortunate consequences. Such diseases include those ones that can shorten the life of a child, influence badly on his postnatal development, can lead to disability or serious health problems and do not cure completely.

Treatment is not assigned to single women and same-sex couples, according to the law only married couples can be treated from infertility.

Infertility is treated in women under the age of 49 years.

IVF in Spain

In this country the law about assisted reproductive technologies provides complete anonymity of the donor. This means that the identity of the donor will never be disclosed. In addition, donation in Spain is exclusively altruistic and voluntary action, and then the donor has no right to assert his claim to paternity.

Children born after the using of donor cells should be registered on a couple that had been treated for infertility.

The laws which are in force in this country allow the using of such assisted reproductive technologies and methods of treatment that are banned in many other European countries. In Spain it’s legally to use of PGD, there is the possibility of embryo selection and even the choice of the child’s sex (though only in the case of the probability of occurrence of genetic diseases associated with the sex), it is possible to use sperm, egg and even embryos donation. In addition, single women can also use these features.

Legal provisions relating to the recipient:

Any woman aged 18 years or older has the right to use assisted reproductive technologies, regardless of her marital status and sexual orientation.

If treatment is decided to take a married woman, a prerequisite is the consent of her husband, if the spouses, of course, are not officially divorced.

Legal rules relating to donors:

Donors are guaranteed to provide absolute anonymity.

The donor is selected by clinic staff. By law, the medical staff is responsible for donor selection. It is prohibited to choose your own donor.

When the patient is selected a donor it should be ensured maximum immunological compatibility and phenotypic similarity.

Eggs freezing

To use frozen oocytes, you must first obtain the permission of health authorities. The embryos left over after IVF treatment can be frozen with the permission of their owner. Cryopreservation can last as long as the doctor decides that they do not meet the established standards. Every two years, the ‘owner’ of the embryo must either extend the authorization to use their frozen embryos, or cancel it.

The frozen oocytes may be used by married couples and single women, and also by scientists to conduct different researches.

IVF in Ukraine

The use of reproductive technologies in infertility treatment (for example, egg donation) is approved and regulated by the legislation of Ukraine. Egg donation is fixed with a number of legal acts and fully legalized.

That’s what states in the legislation of Ukraine:

The parents of the child, which appeared as a result of the use of donor eggs, are the recipients.

The man considered the father of the child born through assisted reproduction, if his wife (the mother of the child) and he signed a proper agreement.

You can choose the sex of the child. PGD allows you to choose not only healthy embryos, but also the sex of your unborn child.

The Ministry of Health of Ukraine determines the conditions and rules under which embryo transfer and IVF procedures are conducted. A woman should be at full age, and it is imperative to conclude an agreement about ensuring of the anonymity of the donor and storage of medical secrecy.

According to the Civil Code of Ukraine, assisted reproductive technologies can be used by men and women of full legal age, only on the basis of medical evidence in the manner prescribed by law.

Patients have the right to choose any clinic working legally to get opted type of treatment with the use of assisted reproductive technologies.

Programs using ART may be implemented only in accredited medical facilities.

It’s necessary a written agreement, medical evidence and an application, approved by the Ministry of Health of Ukraine to use the VRT.

Donors do not have parental rights to the recipient’s child.

IVF in Poland

Currently there is no system of rules relating to the donation and receiving eggs, gametes and embryos in Poland. These processes are not regulated by the current legislation about the collection, storage and transplantation of cells, tissues and organs. The legislative project on the treatment of infertility, intended to adjust Polish legislation in accordance with the laws of the European Union, are still developed.

The laws, which will be in Poland in the future, will regulate the quality standards and the protection of donors, recipients, and checking, processing, storage and distribution of human tissues and cells.

New legislation will determine:

The tasks and operating conditions of infertility treatment centers;

Activities in the field of preservation and improvement of reproductive health;

Regulation of functioning of ART centers and the banks of reproductive cells;

Rules for the supervision of ART.

At the same time, almost all of the procedures (such as IVF, oocyte donation, etc.) are available in clinics of Poland.

IVF in Russia

Russian law concerning egg donation is one of the most liberal among other European countries.

Here’s what you need to know about the legal provisions of the country in this area:

There is an opportunity to become an anonymous egg donor, but with the condition that you are 18-35 years old and you have at least one healthy child. It is also possible not to hide your identity, being a donor.

Donor anonymity is guaranteed.

Clinics reimburse the donor’s expenses.

Any woman of childbearing age has the right to artificial insemination and embryo transfer.

Individual patient data is confidential, no personal patient information is provided to the donor, as well as, on the contrary, the donor’s one – to the patient.

Recipients have right to know such data about the donor, as the appearance, the features which are important from a medical point of view and nationality.

Married couples who give consent to treatment (and to use donor eggs), are considered legal parents of the child, which was born through ART.

In Russia, the maximum age of the recipient – 50 years. This is higher than in many European countries.

A program of infertility treatment may be used not only married couples but also unmarried ones, and even single women.

Artificial insemination is allowed only in clinics having a special license.

In cases where there is a possibility of hereditary genetic diseases associated with sex, you can choose the sex of the child.

The citizens of Russia have the right to cryopreservation of embryos and eggs.

Under current law, embryos and eggs can’t be used for industrial purposes.

IVF in USA

There is no state body directly controlling ART in America. Infertility treatment in this country has a lot more freedom than other branches of medicine. This situation is because most of the research in this area is not funded by the federal government of the United States. When it comes to the regulation of medical specialties, ART and infertility treatment are at least regulated. The ethical side of the issue is regulated and determined by the physician during the research process.

Clinic for the treatment of infertility in the United States, as opposed to those that are located in Europe, does not necessarily have to be licensed. No relevant rules and regulations, which control the selection and follow-up care of donor eggs. Currently, US law towards to reproductive technology is in a state of non-interference. This is because many doctors and researchers against the rules, which can herd the whole process into the rigid framework. However, there is no doubt that control is necessary, at least partially, if the purpose of the US clinics is to increase the quality and availability of reproductive technologies, as well as minimizing the possible risks. But this does not mean that it should worry about the quality of the treatment, which is, by the way, at the highest level in this country. It only means that such things should be monitored by a qualified body. Researchers and doctors believe that monitoring should be carried out an organization that is related with the medical community.

Summarizing, we can say the following thing: if you are planning to visit the United States for the infertility treatment, don’t worry about anything in terms of legality, because there are no legal provisions which it would be necessary to pay attention on to this issue.

IVF in Mexico

In Mexico the embryos and eggs donation is allowed, as well as infertility treatment. Eggs and embryos donation are widespread and available. The law permits to freeze fertilized eggs for later use. PGD procedures, IVF and egg donation clearly and transparently spelled out in the law. Assisted reproductive technologies can be used in cases where it is impossible to solve the problem of infertility with other methods.

In Mexico commit to respect the cultural, moral and social couple’s beliefs, even if they differ significantly from the beliefs of control bodies.

Research of embryos can be carried out only if it will benefit to the mother and fetus, there is a guarantee of safety and any risk is eliminated.

IVF in Greece

The laws of this country are focused on the interests of the child, who was conceived by means of assisted reproduction. In terms of legislation, Greece is an ideal country for a donation of oocytes.

Greek legislation states:

Infertility treatment is for women up to 50 years. There are no age restrictions for men.

It’s not prohibited to treat same-sex couples. The only condition, the woman must notarize an application that she is being treated as a single woman using donor sperm.

Couples who are not married, have to sign a document stating that the woman is alone. The partner must sign an agreement that he is willing to be the legal father of the unborn child. Costs for the notary will be approximately 40-70 euros, all the documents are signed by the arrival of the pair in Greece.

As in many other countries, sex selection is only possible for medical reasons (i.e. if it is in the interests of the child).

Gender cells donors are provided anonymity.

Donation in Greece is possible only for altruistic reasons, because nobody is paid for it (only pay for the work).

Donor and recipient sign the document (obligatorily), which protects their rights.

Donors should be no more than 35 years.

All standard procedures (selecting, analyzes, etc.) should take place in accordance with the legislation.

Legal regulations concerning embryo transfer:

Using your own eggs, women under the age of 35 can be transferred 1-2 embryos.

Using your own eggs, women between 35 and 40 can be transferred two embryos, if it is 1 or 2 cycle.

Women 40 years of age (using their own oocytes) can be transferred up to three embryos, if the woman is older than 40 – to four ones.

Using donor eggs for women of all ages are transferred no more than two embryos.

IVF in Australia

Here, as in the United States, there are differences in the legislation of the different parts of the country. In addition, (one more similarity with the US) laws on assisted reproduction are more like on the guidelines.

What it is necessary to know:

Buying and selling of human tissues (including ova, embryos and semen) is out of the law.

Eggs and embryos donation is permitted throughout the country.

A license can be obtained only with those clinics, which are subject either the Code of Practice or Guidelines.

Donors are monitored legally, so that in case if the child wants to find siblings or genetic parents. The number of children for each donor is limited.

Embryos remaining after the procedure (patient’s ones and received from donors) are usually not allowed to transfer to other couples, except for certain circumstances.

The wishes of donors about who should be transferred their embryos, should be considered.

Embryos may be transferred to the selected pair (not anonymous), or donated to the clinic to continue to use them for another pair.

In states where there is no necessary legislation, couples can donate oocytes and embryos to recipients who, in their opinion, have a suitable origin, marital status and religion.

Frozen embryos and oocytes can be stored for five years, and then there is a possibility to extend this period for another five years.

The donor is not responsible for a child born through donation.

Children born through donor can’t claim the property of the donor.

Mother of a child is considered a woman who gave birth to him.

As soon as the child comes of full legal age, he has the right to obtain information about the genetic parents.

Treatment of infertility is forbidden for women over 50 and also for women, whose health may suffer due to pregnancy.

IVF in India

Artificial insemination in the country is not legalized. The employees of the medical sphere in this case have to follow the general laws of the country.

A child born through the use of ART is considered legitimate if his parents were married.

Donors are provided anonymity.

Perhaps, you have to sign more than one contract between all sides (recipient-donor, donor-clinic).

The contract imposes responsibility on both the recipient and the donor.

Contract is not the same as agreement. Both of these documents are important and necessary, especially if there will be any unpleasant incident.

A lawyer should advise donor.

The donor must sign the necessary documents that will be the proof that he is not responsible for the unborn child.

In some cases, anonymous donors may need to disclose their identity.

The court may authorize the release of information about a donor to his genetic children.

Donors are not paid for the donating cells, but compensated for the costs of the procedure that they passed, regardless of whether pregnant happens or not.

If donors do not have insurance, the clinic can offer him a short-term one.

IVF in Latvia

Latvian legislation allows to use ART only for heterosexual couples. Couples can choose a donor considering of his medical indications and age. Donors can become healthy mentally and physically people 18-34 years. Donors need obligatorily to go through the standard medical examination. In addition, candidates for the role of the donor must pass psychiatric and genetic examination.

Donors are provided anonymity. Recipients are not able to meet with any donor, nor even to see his photo. Instead of this, they can choose a donor on the basis of the figures, which are about 20: blood group and Rh factor, eye and hair color, height and weight, age and so on. You can even know a little about the social life of the donor.

IVF in Cyprus

Laws affecting the VRT, are different in the South and North Cyprus.

Here’s what you need to know about the law of North Cyprus:

Treatment is available to everybody: married couples, couples who have not registered the marriage, same-sex couples and single women.

Selecting of the sex is permissible for a medical condition and for the balance of the family.

The donor can be a person under 35.

Surrogacy is illegal.

Patients older than 45 years can’t undergo infertility treatment.

Сryopreservation of oocytes is approved.

Period of storage of gametes and embryos is not limited.

Eggs donor is offered anonymity.

According to the law, a donor can donate his sex cells only five times.

Before the procedure, the donor must be screened and pass various tests for the presence of different sorts of diseases.

IVF in The United Kingdom

Clinics in the UK are considered to be legal if they have a license of the special authority that regulates ART in the country (HFEA).

As for the laws:

Cryopreservation is approved.

The donation of gender cells is allowed.

Examination of embryos for the purpose of detection of hereditary diseases is allowed.

Recently, the Government of the United Kingdom has approved the use of hybrid embryos for research.

Women under 40 years old are allowed no more than two implanted embryos. For women over age 40 that number increased to three ones. Perhaps soon the transfer of only one embryo will be allowed here.

The donation is not anonymous. Donor data may be found in a special register. When the child turns 16, he gets access to non-identifying information, and after the age of majority he can find out additional information about the donor, revealing his identity: name, address where the donor resided at the time of the procedure, date of birth, etc. Moreover, the child can know about other children born thanks to this donor.

The number of children from one donor is limited: no more than ten children per donor.

Treatment is available for married couples, single women and same-sex couples.

Even using donor eggs, the mother is considered to be the patient who gave birth to a child.

Donor does not bear financial and legal responsibility for the child. To confirm this fact, it does not need to sign anything, because it is an axiom, operating automatically.

If you choose a known donor, you can draw up a contract governing the relationship between this woman and your child. The best solution is to seek help from a lawyer.

Only you decide whether to tell the child about his origin or not.

The donor has the right to apply to the HFEA, to know whether the result gave her donated eggs and sex born child (or children). However, she cannot recognize their personal data.

The donor receives a payment of up to about 750 pounds per cycle.

IVF in Brazil

Only one organization engages in the regulation of clinics: Red Latinoamericana de Preproduccion Assistida.

The procedure of IVF is available not only for married couples, but also for same-sex couples and single women.

It’s allowed to use PGD and assisted hatching.

Surrogacy is allowed but surrogate mother should be relevant to the future parents. In addition, the charge for this option is prohibited.

IVF in Argentina

Now in this country there are no laws relating to the treatment of infertility.