VPRS 16732 Records of Storage, Import, Export and Disposal of Sperm, Eggs, Embryos and Ovarion Tissue

Full description

This series consists of records that document the approval of bringing into Victoria or taking out of Victoria, sperm, eggs or embryos containing donor gametes. The series also includes the approval of applications to extend the storage times of embryos using donor gametes (eggs/sperm) and correspondence regarding disposal.

In deciding whether to approve the import or export of donor gametes, or embryos containing donor gametes, the Infertility Treatment Authority (ITA) took into account whether the purpose for which the gametes or embryos would be used would be consistent with what is legally possible in Victoria. They also took into account whether the transactions were commercial. The applications contain details of potential parents of donor-conceived children, the registered assisted reproductive treatment (ART) clinic, donor and details about where gametes to be imported / exported.

The Infertility Treatment Act 1995 prescribed that an embryo must not remain in storage for longer than 5 years and gametes and ovarian tissue for 10 years, except with the approval of the ITA. Registered ART providers were responsible for the disposal of gametes, ovarian tissue and embryos exceeding the storage period however ITA assisted clinics in determining the fate of the patient reproductive material in storage.