[Oocyte donation to be legalized in Sweden. Excellent results reported from other countries]

Oocyte donation is an effective solution for treating infertile women whose ovaries are non-functional. This infertility condition is known as premature ovarian failure and is most commonly caused by genetic or autoimmune diseases, chemo- or radiotherapy, severe endometriosis and ovarian cancer. Oocyte donation also benefits those women who have functional ovaries yet respond poorly to ovarian hyperstimulation for in vitro fertilisation. Not only does oocyte donation provide healthy oocytes to infertile women, it also allows any genetic diseases of the recipient to be avoided. The process is simple beginning with ovarian hormonal stimulation of the donor followed by trans-vaginal oocyte retrieval. The mature oocytes are then fertilised with the sperm of the recipient's partner and the resulting embryo is transferred to the uterus two to five days later. Careful counselling of all parties involved is necessary before commencing treatment. International experience using oocyte donation has been excellent revealing normal, healthy relationships between the children and their families. Until now, oocyte donation has been illegal in Sweden, yet on 25th April 2002 the Swedish Parliament accepted a change in the law regarding assisted reproduction. According to this new law, oocyte donation will be permitted in Sweden from the beginning of January 2003 providing new hope for infertile couples.