Heterologous fertilization: some criteria for receiving gamete donation according to HERA

During the conference organized by Hera Onlus of Catania and SOS Infertilità Onlus of Milan, important criteria were elaborated to regulate the procedure that couples who receive gametes for heterologous fertilization as donations must follow.

According to Rossella Bartolucci, president of SOS Infertility, if these rules are followed, even in Italy it will be possible to deal with heterologist in safety and with guarantees of protection.

Here are the main criteria:

1) it is not possible to choose the donor in any way.  Breed preferences are simply taken into account.

2) The receipt of gametes can be obtained for a condition of lack of one’s gametes or genetic conditions of one’s gametes that endanger the health of the unborn child

3) All cancer patients who have lost their reproductive capacity  following drug treatment can receive gametes  . Anticancer drugs very often irreversibly and permanently damage the production of gametes. In these cases, unless there is  preventive cryopreservation  of one’s own gametes,  heterologous fertilization  remains the only way to have a child.

4) Among the candidates for receiving gametes are women suffering from premature menopause.

5) Among the candidates for receiving gametes are all those couples who, due to genetic problems or particular pathologies, are unable to produce healthy embryos, or suffer from a state of infertility with repeated abortions or absolute sterility.

6) the age limit is 50 for women if we consider this as the average age at menopause. This is in line with    the art. 5 of law 40/2004, which establishes that adult couples of different sexes, married or cohabiting, of potentially childbearing age can access medically assisted procreation.

However, general regulation by the institutions will be needed which we hope will not be long in coming.