In France, research on the human embryo is governed by articles L. 2151-5 et seq. of the Public Health Code. These provisions stipulate that embryos that may be included in research must come specifically from a medically assisted procreation (MAP) procedure. This donation is subject to the consent of the couple from whom the embryos originate, which must be obtained in writing by a MPA professional after full information has been provided. While these procedures are clearly detailed, the content of the consent forms is not described in the law or its implementing decree.
Law no. 2021-1017 of August 2, 2021 amended the provisions applicable to medically assisted procreation and embryo research. In addition to opening up medically assisted procreation to female couples and unmarried women, the law, with regard to the procedures for informing and collecting consent to the donation of supernumerary embryos for research, replaces written confirmation of consent after a three-month reflection period, with the possibility for the couple to revoke it in writing within three months, with the absence of revocation then being deemed confirmation of the initial consent (article L. 2141-4 of the Public Health Code).
The Agency has updated the forms drawn up in 2010 to take account of the changes introduced by the 2021 bioethics law. These documents were validated by the Orientation Council at its meeting in April 2022.
There are three categories of AMP embryos that can be donated to research, and a form has been designed for each of them:
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