AI 171 crash: UK couple killed, IVF embryo preserved in Gujarat

A London couple’s dream of parenthood ended in tragedy when they died in the AI 171 crash in July, while the embryo they had created through IVF remains preserved at a Gujarat fertility centre, reported TOI. The couple had made repeated trips to Gujarat for IVF treatment, hoping to start a family.

For seven years, their lives revolved around fertility treatments. IVF attempts had failed multiple times, and a miscarriage occurred at seven weeks. The woman was undergoing treatment for endometriosis, a condition that makes conception difficult. Despite setbacks, they persevered. In April, doctors successfully froze an embryo after corrective surgery, with a transfer planned for July. Their ancestral home in Gujarat had been prepared for the arrival of the child.

“It’s incredibly rare to see such a case,” TOI quoted an IVF specialist as saying. “The embryo is alive in preservation, but its biological parents no longer exist. It’s heartbreaking beyond words.” The situation poses complex legal and ethical questions.
Under Indian law, orphan embryos cannot be donated, and posthumous surrogacy is prohibited. Since the couple were British citizens, the embryo could potentially be transferred abroad, with grandparents able to pursue surrogacy, subject to approval from India’s National Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) and Surrogacy Board.

India’s ART rules allow embryos to be preserved for a minimum of 10 years, extendable to 20 with special permission.

(With inputs from TOI)