A new Monash University study has found strong public support for broadening consent so more people can donate surplus frozen eggs to scientific research.
Egg freezing is becoming increasingly popular, yet most people who freeze their eggs never return to use them. When imposed storage limits are reached, individuals must choose whether to discard unused eggs, donate them to others for reproductive use, or donate them to research; although many say their preference is to donate to research, actual donations remain rare, leaving a valuable resource largely unused for scientific progress.
Consent rules in countries such as the UK and Australia follow a ‘specific-consent’ model that requires prospective egg donors to receive detailed information about the specific research project their eggs will be used in. With donation only possible when a project is actively recruiting at the time eggs are relinquished from storage, many surplus eggs that could support scientific studies are instead discarded.
The study, Public attitudes towards consent for the donation of surplus frozen eggs to research, was conducted by a cross-functional team of researchers from Monash University in Australia and Oxford University. It is the first of its kind to explore public attitudes about how consent processes handle information disclosure and preferences for donating surplus frozen eggs to research.
Researchers surveyed 225 adults in the United Kingdom to understand public attitudes toward changing the rules around donating surplus eggs to research from specific consent to a broader, more flexible model.
Lead author, Dr Jennifer Langford from the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, said the findings suggest it may be time to consider a move from specific consent to a broader model.
“Participants supported both broad or specific information when giving consent,” Dr Langford said.
“But what mattered most was that wishes regarding the fate of the frozen eggs were respected. A broad consent model would support more people to make decisions that genuinely reflect their preferences and values.”
Senior researcher of the study, Dr Molly Johnston, a Senior Research Fellow at the Monash Bioethics Centre, said the findings have clear implications for Australia’s current policy.
“As the number of frozen eggs continues to far exceed those used in treatment, policymakers need to consider how egg disposition – especially donation – is managed,” Dr Johnston said.
“Moving to broad consent could allow more people to donate their eggs and ease the shortage of eggs available for vital research.”
Professor Deirdre Zander‑Fox, Monash IVF’s Chief Scientific Officer, said a broader consent model could unlock vital research opportunities.
“Under the current system, we simply don’t receive enough donated eggs to support critical research projects. Broadening the consent model in Australia would allow many more people to donate in line with their preferences, and it would accelerate research that has the potential to transform lives.”
With the Fertility Society of Australia and New Zealand’s 10‑Year Fertility Roadmap already acknowledging the need to explore broader consent models, this latest study strengthens the case for reform. Researchers are calling on the Australian Government and the NHMRC to update Australia’s consent framework so people can donate surplus frozen eggs for future research — not only when a project happens to be recruiting — ensuring valuable eggs are used to advance science rather than being discarded.
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