Perspectives of IVF users on their spare embryos is a less explored subject in the Indian context despite the country’s population and abundance of IVF clinics. We conducted a qualitative study using in-depth interviews in a selected district of the Indian state of Karnataka. Seven individuals were recruited independently of any assistance from an IVF clinic. The interviews explored participants’ knowledge and perception of the spare embryos using a set of guiding questions exploring the theme of the informed consent process, views on research, preferences for embryo donation, the role of family and the dynamics of decision-making, amongst other things. The interviews were qualitatively analysed using Corbin and Strauss’s grounded theory approach. Our findings reveal that the participants do not learn about the prospects of spare embryos from the very start of their IVF journeys, and they may not be informed about the various options available to decide the fate of the spare embryos. Irrespective of their views on research and moral perceptions of embryos, participants expressed a sense of responsibility and ownership towards their embryos and a general reluctance to donate them. Our findings have implications for guiding future inquiries on this subject, which can better the informed consent process and unravel the role of ownership in the ethics of spare embryos in the Indian context.

尽管印度人口众多且体外受精诊所数量众多，但在印度，体外受精使用者对其备用胚胎的看法却是一个较少探讨的话题。我们通过深入访谈在印度卡纳塔克邦的一个选定地区进行了一项定性研究。七人的招募独立于试管受精诊所的任何帮助。访谈通过一系列指导性问题探讨了参与者对备用胚胎的知识和看法，这些问题探讨了知情同意过程的主题、对研究的看法、胚胎捐赠的偏好、家庭的作用和决策的动态等。事物。使用科尔宾和施特劳斯的扎根理论方法对访谈进行定性分析。我们的研究结果表明，参与者从 IVF 旅程一开始就没有了解备用胚胎的前景，并且他们可能不知道可用于决定备用胚胎命运的各种选择。无论参与者对胚胎研究和道德观念的看法如何，他们都表达了对胚胎的责任感和主人翁意识，并且普遍不愿意捐赠胚胎。我们的研究结果对指导未来对该主题的调查具有重要意义，这可以改善知情同意程序，并阐明所有权在印度背景下备用胚胎伦理中的作用。