In Spain, there are approximately 800,000 cryopreserved embryos, of which an estimated 10-15% lack a defined destination due to the non-renewal of consent. This situation creates a complex dilemma: the original intentions of the progenitors remain unresolved while potential recipients lose access to a more equitable and affordable reproductive option. The current regulatory and procedural gaps contribute to the growing accumulation of embryos in assisted reproduction clinics and raise ethical, legal, and social issues.

The project addresses, for the first time in the Spanish context, the perceptions, motivations and barriers experienced by the three key actors involved in the donation of surplus embryos: progenitors, potential recipients, and health professionals. Through a qualitative design based on interviews in both public and private clinics, the study examines the clinical, emotional, and regulatory factors that influence decision-making. The goal is to understand the ethical conflicts and institutional conditions that hinder or facilitate the donation of unclaimed embryos for reproductive purposes.