Official statistics show that almost 3 million embryos in the UK have been lost as a result of IVF treatment.
The figures, gathered by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), reveal that more than 3.5 million embryos were created through IVF since August 1991.
Of these, almost 1.4 million were implanted in the womb but less than than 1 in 6 resulted in a pregnancy.
Nearly 1.7 million were disposed of unused, and a further 23,480 were thrown away after being placed in storage.
In addition, nearly 840,000 were stored for future implantations, with nearly 5,900 set aside for scientific research and more than 2000 for donation.
Lord Alton, a Crossbench peer, commented that embryos were being created and discarded in “industrial” numbers.
He added: “It happens on a day-by-day basis with casual indifference. This sheer destruction of human embryos – most people would not know that it took place on such a scale”.
An HFEA spokesman said: “IVF involves the creation of more embryos than are transferred to the patient so that the best ones can be chosen to start pregnancy.
“Those embryos that are discarded may no longer be needed by the individual or couple for treatment.
“In these circumstances they can decide whether to donate the embryos to a research project, another couple or ask the clinic to destroy them.”
Andrea Williams, Chief Executive of Christian Concern, stated: “These new figures expose the huge scale of loss and waste that occurs as a result of IVF treatment in the UK. It’s time for this issue to be addressed.
“Embryos are not products but human lives. We cannot let our ‘on-demand’ culture affect our view of human life and allow this destruction of human life to continue.
“For every child born as a result of IVF, several human lives are lost. This price is too much to pay, particularly when so many British children are waiting to be adopted or fostered”.
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