Couple make plea to save embryos

A couple from Gloucester have urged the government to relax regulations which will result in their frozen embryos being destroyed.

Mel Gladwin, 28, developed cervical cancer six years ago and with husband Rob, 29, stored fertilized eggs.

From 1 October new laws will allow couples to store frozen embryos for 10 years, up from the current five years.

But because the Gladwins' embryos are already over the five year limit, the law states they must be destroyed.

The couple have a three-year-old son who was born via surrogate pregnancy from one of their frozen embryos.

They said they were now "absolutely desperate" for another child.

Totally arbitrary

Mr Gladwin, a project manager, said: "We have five embryos remaining, and we're in a situation where we can't use them.

"So, effectively, we can't have another child with the embryos that are in existence.

"They will be totally viable, and the five year period was totally arbitrary."

The pair have written to Health Minister Andy Burnham and held meetings with ministers over their plight.

Their constituency MP, Parmjit Dhanda, has also taken up their cause.

We're trying to get as much support from ministers as possible and asking 'why is this happening?' Mel Gladwin

He said: "I think in these genuine cases, this extension to 10 years should apply to them as well.

"I gather that ministers are looking at it. But my constituent is concerned that her embryos will be destroyed."

After undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy Mrs Gladwin has been in remission for the past five years.

The bulk of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 will come into force on 1 October.

Mrs Gladwin, a business analyst, said: "We're trying to get as much support from ministers as possible and asking 'why is this happening?'.

"We have until the 30th of September to put forward some legal challenge or get the law changed."

The couple have also begun a petition on the number10 website.

Gillian Merron, Minister for Public Health, said: "These new rules will mean that people can extend the storage of their eggs or sperm from five to 10 years with the potential to extend the time further in certain circumstances.

"For a small number of people the end of the storage period for their embryos will come before these new rules come into force.

"I am very sympathetic to their situation and have asked my officials to urgently explore options for assisting these people."

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