Factors influencing attitudes towards potential oocyte donation for research

Objectives:
In 2007, the HFEA issued new legislation that allowed women to donate their oocytes for research purposes as altruistic donors or as patient donors through oocytes sharing programmes for subsidised infertility treatment.This study examined factors underlying women’s decisions to donate their oocytes for research.
Design:
An one off questionnaire design was used to measure women’s attitudes and willingness to donate oocytes for research using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). Specific websites were targeted that women with an interest in oocyte donation would visit.
Methods:
A total of 210 women completed the online questionnaire, the majority of respondents were White (94 per cent) and aged 16 to 57 (mean age 29 years).
Results:
Of the 210 respondents, 80 (38.1 per cent) were potential donors, 45 (21.4 per cent) were non-donors and 85 (40.5 per cent) were possible donors. Potential donors (Mean age 27) were significantly younger (F(2,209)=9.15; p<0.001) compared to non-donors (Mean age=33) and possible donors (Mean age=30). The majority of potential donors (66.3 per cent) reported no preference towards donating their oocytes towards research or an infertile couple. However, non-donors reported more inclination (44.4 per cent) towards donating their oocytes towards an infertile couple compared to research, both or neither. Potential donors had significantly more positive attitudes towards oocyte donation for research (F(2,209)=8.72, p<0.001), had more positive attitudes towards the consequences of oocyte donation for research purposes (F(2,209)=15.52, p<0.001), reported greater control beliefs in making the decision to donate their oocytes (Z=–2.58; p<0.01 and Z=–2.23; p<0.026) and believed they had more support from important others in their lives in making the decision to donate (Z=–3.78; p<0.001 and Z=–2.73; p<0.006) compared to non-donors and possible donors respectively, thus confirming all hypotheses derived from the TPB. Donors were also significantly more likely to report they would donate their oocytes to stem cell research which aims to find a cure for diseases and illness; research trying to improve infertility treatment and to do something that makes a difference compared to non-donors and possible donors.
Conclusions:
Components of the TPB successfully differentiated between potential donors, non-donors and possible donors and could therefore be utilised in future recruitment practices. Advertisements and educational leaflets could focus on the medical and social benefits of stem cell research as indicated by the results, in an attempt to recruit potential donors.