We spent £23,000 on fertility treatment - now our embryos will be destroyed
A British couple is campaigning for a change in fertility laws after their sperm donor withdrew consent, leaving them unable to use their remaining embryos. Despite spending £23,000 on treatment, the embryos are now slated for destruction under current UK regulations.
Why it matters
It highlights the legal and emotional complexities surrounding reproductive rights and the limits of donor consent in fertility treatments.
Image source, Nat Fraser-Edwards Image caption, Nat (left) and Nik Fraser-Edwards went through six rounds of failed artificial insemination before they were successful through a different type of fertility treatment
Nat and Nik Fraser-Edwards celebrated their son Jude's first birthday last month.
After rounds of failed fertility treatment, Jude was a dream come true for the couple who said they hoped to give him a brother or sister next year. But now their dreams have come "crashing down".
Their sperm donor has withdrawn his consent for further use, and the remaining five embryos in storage will be destroyed after paying £23,000 on fertility treatment.
In the UK, a sperm or egg donor can withdraw consent up until the embryo is transferred into the womb.
The couple now want the law changed so that once an embryo has been created, consent cannot be withdrawn.
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