P4B Check: Cryopreservation

Viewpoint:

Cryopreservation is a gentle way of preserving cells for later fulfilment of the desire to have a child. With this option, the chance of fulfilling the desire to have a child is preserved.

With the technological advancement, cryopreservation is associated with increasing success. An important aspect is the handling of the unused eggs. It is essential to read the prior legal regulations (in the event of death) and the contractual arrangements of the respective cryobank carefully. These vary from country to country. Look at the prices carefully and also note the six-monthly fee for storage.

Religion:¹⁾

Christianity: The Catholic Church rejects artificial insemination in every way. Cryopreservation is also completely rejected. The destruction of surplus fertilised eggs is equated with abortion. Likewise, the freezing of surplus fertilised eggs is considered a substitute for the conjugal act.

In the Protestant Church there are different views on artificial insemination. No direct rejection is expressed, but it is nevertheless discouraged.

Islam: In the Islamic faith, cryopreservation is approved in principle. The basic requirement is that the egg cell and sperm cell come from the respective partners. The involvement of third parties is excluded and is considered adultery when carried out.

Judaism: The Jewish faith is basically positive about cryopreservation. As long as the egg and sperm come from the couple with whom the child will later grow up.

Hinduism: No objections to cryopreservation are expressed in the Hindu faith.

Buddhism: The Buddhist faith does not raise any objections to cryopreservation.

So far, no adverse effects have been observed from a psychological point of view. However, it is important to inform yourself in advance and to seek counselling.

There is a great advantage for cancer patients. This is because they do not have to deal with the loss of the possibility of having a child during chemotherapy or radiation. This can have a relieving effect on the persons concerned.

From a moral point of view, cryopreservation is accepted for cancer patients. A possibility is created that benefits people with a disease.

Social freezing is a method of fulfilling one's own wishes. With the appropriate financial means, freezing is possible without a medical reason. This means that only women and men who have sufficient financial means can resort to it. This creates an imbalance and enables people to deal with the desire to have children later or even to postpone it. This "trend" has developed into a "baby business". The impression is created that social freezing contributes to the marketing of reproductive medicine. The older the women, the higher the probability of using artificial insemination. Reproductive medicine profits from this. However, this does not mean that the chances of pregnancy increase.