FAQs – How does the reversal of Roe Vs. Wade affect reproductive tissue storage?

How will the reversal of Roe vs. Wade impact the storage of my embryos at ReproTech?

For clients with embryos in storage at all ReproTech locations, currently there is no impact to the storage of your embryos. You have the same control over storing, transferring, donating (when applicable) or discarding your embryos.

What if my embryos are stored in your Texas location?

Based on ASRM’s guidance in their Potential Implications for Reproductive Medicine report, ReproTech currently does not expect any impact in the operations at any of our locations, including ReproTech Texas. According to the ASRM report, Texas’s Human Life Protection Act of 2021 “does not appear to be applicable to IVF and reproductive medicine prior to implantation of embryos.” The report goes on to state, “as pregnancy requires ‘a living unborn child within [the pregnant woman’s] body’ a fertilized embryo that is not within a pregnant woman’s body would likely not be within the scope of this law.” Essentially, the Texas law focuses on pregnant women, not to embryos in storage that were created with assisted reproductive technologies.

Our Texas facility continues to provide storage for patients in the south central and south eastern regions of the U. S. We recommend that for patients storing embryos in our Texas facility, continuing to store in Texas will be the most convenient option for you. This is because we have partnerships with several fertility clinics in this region and the shipping distance and cost will be more economical for you.

What if I am storing oocytes (eggs) or sperm?

Oocytes (unfertilized eggs) are not subject to any restrictions for storage or discard because they are not embryos. Sperm is also not affected by the Supreme Court decision on 6/24/22. Only embryos are subject to restrictions and personhood considerations in some states.

What if I want to donate my embryos to research?

When you no longer wish to store your embryos, you have the option to donate them to research programs that are available to you at the time of donation. Embryo research programs often depend on funding from a university or a federal or state grant. For this reason, many programs are only open for a small window of time. If there are no research programs available when you are ready to donate, you may instead donate them to a recipient for use through an embryo donation program, continue to store your embryos or discard them.

Many research programs do not accept embryos that were created or are stored in certain states. Where you currently reside may also restrict your donation options due to state laws that apply to whether embryos can be used for research.

View the donation programs ReproTech currently offers to clients storing embryos.

I don’t currently store with ReproTech, how can I transfer my embryos to ReproTech?

For people who live in states with restrictions on embryo disposition or discard, transferring to ReproTech for long-term storage will give you the peace of mind that you will have control over your embryos. If you would like to transfer your embryos to ReproTech, start by completing our new account forms. Review our Fee Schedule to see our low storage and shipping fees.