Rio Grande do Sul Court Bars Use of Frozen Embryos Without Ex‑Partner Consent

The 1ª Câmara Especial Cível of the Tribunal de Justiça do Rio Grande do Sul ruled that implantation of cryopreserved embryos after a divorce requires the free, current and unequivocal consent of both former spouses. The court held that consent given during marriage does not remain binding after the marital bond ends, and it is unconstitutional to force a person to become a parent against their will.

Desembargadora Gláucia Dipp Dreher, the rapporteur, stated: "O consentimento para a implantação de embriões criopreservados deve ser livre, atual e inequívoco até a transferência embrionária, sendo inadmissível o suprimento judicial da vontade do ex‑cônjuge que manifesta expressamente oposição à geração de filho após a dissolução do vínculo conjugal." The decision overturns a lower‑court ruling that had allowed the transfer of the embryos despite the ex‑partner’s objection, emphasizing constitutional principles of equality, autonomy of will, family planning and responsible parenthood under articles 5 and 226 of the Brazilian Constitution.