Where do we get the embryos from which the ES cells are to be extracted?
The most logical source is left over frozen embryos from in vitro fertilization clinics. When a couple or a donor enlists the help of an IVF clinic it is typical that in one distinct period- due to the hormonal stress on the female and the difficulties in extracting the egg- many embryos are created by the couple in case multiple tries are needed for successful implantation. When the couple has finished completing their family and no longer desires any more children, the rest of their frozen embryos are not needed. These are determined to be excess frozen embryos and are then designated for disposal- to be destroyed. Presently, in the United States there are over 400,000 of these excess frozen embryos in IVFs clinics earmarked for destruction. Instead of having these frozen excess embryos destroyed and wasted, their stem cells can be extracted and used to save lives.
