08/04/2006

FORT MYERS, Fla. (August 4, 2006) -- Local reproductive endocrinology practice, Specialists in Reproductive Medicine and Surgery (SRMS) is working with Harvard University to have embryos sent from Fort Myers to Harvard's Stem Cell Institute, announced practice owner Dr. Craig Sweet.Previously, when couples have requested to have their embryos donated to stem cell research, acceptance of these embryos by academic centers has been bogged down by a variety of ethical, political and legal issues. SRMS and Harvard University have solidified a working relationship wherein embryos designated for stem cell research will now be sent to their facility in an ongoing basis.Currently, SRMS' guidelines for embryo usage allows couples the choice of using their cryopreserved embryos for personal use, donating them to the SRMS laboratory for educational purposes as well as quality assurance testing, donating them to needy individuals or couples and donating them to stem cell research. “I believe, because the political and cultural spotlight has been fixed on the issue of stem cell research, that more couples are beginning to recognize that donating embryos for this purpose is a viable option,” said Dr. Sweet. “In every situation, we try to educate each patient about their options to our fullest ability, understanding that their decision is an extremely personal one. We are pleased to be sending our first 13 embryos to Harvard for stem cell research.”The donation to the Harvard Stem Cell Institute accounts for just 2 percent of the practices overall use of embryos. Neither SRMS nor the patients will receive any compensation for the donation to the Stem Cell Institute.Founded in 2004, the Harvard Stem Cell Institute was formed to use both adult and embryonic stem cells to help the 150 million people nationally living with or dying from organ and tissue failure, according to the Harvard University Gazette.  For more information, visit www.hsci.harvard.edu.Specialists in Reproductive Medicine & Surgery is a reproductive endocrinology & infertility practice open since 1991. Dr. Sweet is board certified in both the specialty of Obstetrics & Gynecology and the subspecialty of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. He is a member and former Chairman of the Lee Memorial Health System HealthPark Ethics Consultation Group and currently serves on the Lee County Medical Society Board of Governors.  For more information, call (239) 275-8118 or, visit www.DreamABaby.com.