I am pretty disturbed by this. I paid to subscribe to Seattle Sperm Bank to see adult photos of donors. All of the adult photos on their website are modified using AI. I contacted them to request a refund because of these AI generated images and they confirmed that yes, all of their adult photos are modified. (But they would not refund). I don’t feel comfortable putting such a huge decision into a company that is modifying photos of donors.

Background:

Late this week social media posts started circulating that Kindbody is moving embryos and all reproductive tissue to a long term facility in Massachusetts called, New England Cryogenic Center (NECC). 

I can confirm it is definitely happening to Illinois patients. From what we gathered, it appears to be happening to all Kindbody patients in all other locations too. California, New York, Missouri, and Arkansas I believe have been confirmed by patients on social media but we assume all locations are affected. 

All patients’ reproductive tissue will be moved unless they have a procedure scheduled with the next 90 days. 

Communication

Kindbody does not appear to have transparent communication with patients. Some patients got notice and others did not. I would assume your embryos will be moved regardless of if you receive official communication or not. 

When patients contact Kindbody - it does not seem Kindbody is being entirely truthful. On social media, patients have reported that Kindbody initially told them their embryos were not affected, when in reality they are affected. Additionally, it has been posted on social that Kindbody has told patients that they won’t move embryos without signed consent but that does not appear to be true. 

Concerns

1. Kindbody is unable to give patients a timeline. Kindbody will not tell patients when this will start. Some patients on social media are questioning if it already has started. 
2. Patients question what this means for Kindbody’s future - could be a sign that kindbody is about to liquidate and go out of business/shutdown or file for bankruptcy?
3. Patients have been complaining on Kindbody’s social media and Kindbody has deleted comments. 
4. Patients are concerned that, given Kindbody’s history, their embryos will not be safe during the transfer - embryos could be damaged or mixups could occur. Especially given the aggressive timeline that has been communicated to some patients.
5. The facility kindbody has selected for long term storage is being sued for destroying and losing eggs. The Reddit post about it can be found here: https://www.reddit.com/r/IVF/s/Nzlabt
6. The current political landscape is a concern. MA laws need to be researched to ensure they are friendly towards ivf. But even if they are, the broader concern becomes, if something should happen politically - transporting embryos across states could become challenging due to liability concerns of companies.
7. If Kindbody shuts down or patients change clinics, patients will have to pay more to transport their embryos across the country back to their home state, rather than paying just for a local transfer
8. Shipping embryos across the country multiple times introduces unnecessary risk.

Action Needed

If you do not want your embryos/eggs/sperm transferred out of state, Kindbody has stated you can stop the transfer by setting up a tissue coordination appointment (be aware some patients are skeptical about if this is true or not). I would do that, as well as put in writing you don’t consent and force them to sent you written confirmation they won’t be relocating your embryos out of state. You’ll need to find an alternative storage location on your own.

Illinois Patients

For IL patients - a lady on Facebook posted the following if you’re in IL and want embryos to stay in state: 

CALL KINDBODY TODAY TO MAKE A TISSUE COORDINATION CALL Make sure they book a tissue coordination call and put in writing you do no give consent to send to NECC only to CryoFuture in Chicago (or the place of your choosing)

CryoFuture Will store your embryos in Chicago and transfer them for free. They were the first location that had a partnership with Kindbody and they still do. I was told they chose Massachusetts because it's a cheaper option for Kindbody.  NO transportation fee associated - WOULD STAY IN CHICAGO 

**** If you have a call they won’t be moved before then. If you don’t have a call, they will automatically move them. Please call Kindbody and make your tissue coordination appointment today!!!

EMAIL: Kindbody@cryofuture.com

Request - to move embryos there - Kindbody Chicago to CryoFuture Chicago 

You will also need to include your last payment recipt with embryo options - they will honor what you paid with them and your rate won't change! 

Note: kindbody claims reproductive tissue won’t be moved if you have have coordination call - numerous patients are skeptical of this is true or not. 

Onto Patients

Doctor Jeelani is aware but, to me, didn’t seem completely informed about the situation. Emails have gone out they’re aware and looking into it. 

Disclaimer

The situation is evolving. All information is true based on the best knowledge I have. I will keep updating the post as the situation evolves. 

Final Note

I will try my best to help everyone and keep everyone updated. Please comment questions or concerns or new information or recommendations. If anyone would like screenshots of official KB communication, I am happy to post as I have time. 

Updates:

* One of our concerns has been if this implies something about the operating status of KB. We have an ivf influencer in IL that goes to KB. She made a post about this. One of the comments is: I wonder if they are closing. The kindbody in my area did something similar before announcing they were closing for good. It is just a TikTok comment, but it highlights our bigger concern that something could be happening to Kindbody.

* A commenter has confirmed Milwaukee, WI is also impacted.

* Someone in the comments make a good point, in case kb does start closing down locations, it’s good to have embryos local to save on transport costs. Something to consider.

* I added more concerns. I talked about them in the comments but I feel it should be highlighted so people are aware of all concerns as they make choices for themselves.

UPDATE POST:

Post with news articles and required actions is here-
https://www.reddit.com/r/IVF/s/Nuw6FA4EQo