By Bob Katzen

Bill# (H 788) – Allows adults to petition the probate court for the adoption of an embryo.

Embryos are often left over from in vitro fertilization attempts to help couples have children. The couples would have the option of freezing the embryos and then donating them to other couples, giving them to scientists for embryonic stem-cell research or destroying them.

Supporters say the bill would protect couples who receive the embryos by ensuring that they legally adopt the embryos and cannot be challenged at a later date.

Opponents say that the bill is unnecessary because nearly all infertility clinics already offer couples the option of donating their leftover embryos to other couples. They say that that this “adopt an embryo” term is supported by right to life groups to promote the belief that frozen embryos are the equivalent of children.