Egg freezing rises in Canada as women seek to avoid passing on genetic mutations

More women across Canada are freezing their eggs, a procedure surging in popularity not only to preserve fertility but also to plan pregnancies that avoid passing on serious genetic health risks. Experts say the trend is driven by those who can afford it, as costs remain high and public coverage is limited. Women like Emma Clayton Jones, who carries the BRCA1 mutation raising her lifetime risk of cancers, are considering the process to later create and test embryos for the same mutation. "I've always known that when I want to start a family, there would be the option to freeze my eggs and then test the embryos," Clayton Jones told CBC News.

Clayton Jones, 32, said she does not want to pass the genetic mutation on to her future children. "After having a cancer scare myself, I thought, 'If I have the choice and the privilege to not put someone through it, I won't,'" she said. Egg freezing allows her to preserve her fertility and later pursue in vitro fertilization to create embryos that can be tested for the BRCA mutation. While egg freezing itself does not detect genetic mutations, it is a common path for women concerned about hereditary health issues who are unsure when they want to have children. Judith Daniluk, a University of British Columbia professor specializing in women's fertility, said testing embryos for genetic abnormalities is a safer and more reliable option than testing eggs alone. "Testing embryos for genetic abnormalities is a safer and more reliable option, particularly given that sperm can also carry abnormalities," Daniluk said. The technique used is known as preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic diseases, or PGT-M. Genetic testing for health reasons is legal in Canada, but the law prohibits using assisted reproduction for non-medical sex selection or creating so-called designer babies.

Anyone convicted of choosing an embryo based on sex for non-medical reasons faces a fine of up to $500,000 or up to 10 years in prison. Sex selection is only permitted to prevent a sex-linked illness. Caitlin Dunne, a reproductive endocrinologist at the B.C.-based Pacific Centre for Reproductive Medicine, noted that in the United States, where elective sex selection is legal, genetic testing has allowed people to choose an embryo's sex. Some disability advocates warn that expanding embryo selection based on genetic traits could stigmatize people with disabilities.

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"Some disability advocates are also concerned about the slippery slope of trying to eliminate normal diversity within the human species," Daniluk said, "as well as further stigmatizing those with disabilities." Some religious groups also believe genetic testing is morally wrong. The financial cost represents a major challenge for women considering egg freezing. Doctors told CBC News that one cycle typically costs around $8,000, with an additional $2,000 to $8,000 for medication. Patients often need two or three cycles to increase pregnancy chances, plus storage fees.

Clayton Jones said she is still trying to figure out the costs. "It seems like it's going to be a bit of a patchwork of expenses. I'm trying to get to the bottom of how much to actually budget for something like this," she said. Public funding for fertility treatments like IVF varies by province and generally does not cover elective egg freezing. Some workplace benefits may cover a cycle or medication. Dr. Sony Sierra, medical director of the Evolve Egg Freezing Clinic in Toronto, said elective egg freezing has become more popular and accessible due to public discourse and celebrity stories.

"Overall, it is still an uphill battle to make it accessible to anyone who wants to do it," Sierra said, adding she hopes accessibility improves over time. Data from the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society shows a significant increase in egg retrieval cycles for freezing, rising from 217 cycles in 2013 to 2,663 cycles in 2025. Dunne said she hopes fertility treatments become more accessible as more people become informed. "Look at your nieces or employees, sisters, aunts, people with ovaries. There are all kinds of people around you dealing with infertility or concerns," Dunne said. "It truly is a public health concern that touches so many."

With files from CBC News