Mother Is Considering To Freeze Her Eggs So That Her Daughter Could Conceive In Future

08.12.2011

An Aberdeenshire woman is considering freezing her eggs so that her nine-year-old daughter can use them to start a family in the future.

Hannah Gordon was born with Turners Syndrome, a chromosome abnormality which has left her infertile.

Her mother Judy Robertson says she would simply be giving her the gift of life, but critics say her plan throws up ethical issues.

She said: "She hasn't got the ovaries to produce the eggs. She has the womb so if she can get an egg donation then she'll be able to have children just by carrying it in her womb.

"There are options to get from friends and other family members and things but I would just like to have it there for her and I've spoken to my partner and he's 100% behind me and he thinks it's a good thing to do as well."

The cut off age for IVF donors is 35, so Ms Robertson, who is 29, plans to look into the procedure over the next few years.

If she goes ahead, it is believed she would be the first mother of a Turners Syndrome sufferer in Scotland to do so.

Arlene Smyth, of the Turner Syndrome Support Society, said: "Clinging to the hope of freezing eggs because it is now viable is an understandable one for mums.

"But the reality is we don't know if it's going to be successful. We don't know if these eggs are going to be useful.

"We don't know if the child would wish to use them so there are lots of issues to be considered but at least the child has a choice, which currently she doesn't.

"Your sister can give you an egg so why can't a mother. It's just like an organ and you're giving someone the gift of life. I don't see anything against it."

Critics say it could lead to emotional and psychological problems for those involved.

But Hannah's mother says she's simply giving her daughter the option to become a mum herself in later life.

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