Embryo adoption is the adoption of human embryos for subsequent in-vitro fertilization. Such adopted children are called snowflake babies.

Conservative groups that oppose embryonic stem cell research see embryo adoption as an alternative fate for embryos to ensure that they are not destroyed for such research.

Currently the only adoption agency in the United States that provides this service is Nightlight Christian Adoption. As of 2004, 62 children had been born through Nightlight's program, and 16 more pregnancies were reported.

"Adoption" is only an informal term for this procedure. Since embryos are not considered to be children under the law, they cannot be legally "adopted." Thus, an embryo adoption is legally a transfer of ownership of embryos (ordinarily up to nine embryos are transferred in one adoption because pregnancy may not result with the first attempt). Use of the term adoption is controversial because embryos are not universally considered to be children, nor are they considered so under the law.

Embryo adoption differs from ordinary donation of embryos in that a regular adoption agency performs a homestudy and matches the donor and adoptive families as in an open adoption.

The United States government has supported publicization of embryo adoption with a $1 million grant.

External links

• Snowflake Embryo Adoption homepage from Nightlight Christian Adoption
• Frozen Embryo Adoption on the Rise
• Embryo 'Adoption' Matches Donors and Would-be Parents
• Article on embryo adoption from New Jersey Right to Life
• Article on embryo adoption from Focus on the Family