The American Embryo Transfer Association (AETA) is the vanguard of the embryo technology industry, and its certification program is the gold standard recognized around the world. Certified AETA embryo transfer (ET) practitioners are known for their experience, quality of work, and professionalism.
AETA is an organization committed to promoting self-imposed standards of excellence in performance and conduct. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recognizes the AETA’s responsibility to uphold the highest industry standards, ensuring that certified individuals and companies exporting embryos have the required knowledge, qualifications, and expertise. AETA-certified members can help in all phases of a successful ET program. To become AETA certified, individuals must pass a rigorous examination, demonstrate extensive experience, participate in annual continuing education, and abide by the rules and regulations established by the AETA and USDA, including facility and laboratory inspections.
Extensive training, cutting-edge technology, and mastering the technical skills required are a few prerequisites to certified ET practitioners. Our scientific knowledge of reproductive physiology, coupled with our skills in collection, processing, and cryopreservation of embryos are needed to ensure biosecurity and public health, safety, and trust. Conventional in-vivo and in-vitro fertilized procedures are invasive and thus, require strict guidelines and attention to detail, such as is provided to AETA members. This experience is a
pillar to our success. Embryos processed by AETA-certified embryo practitioners, in accordance with International Embryo Technology Society (IETS) standards, can be exported to most countries around the world. Generally, only embryos processed by AETA-certified practitioners and endorsed by USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) veterinary services can be exported. To maintain export status, the embryos must be stored under the direct supervision of an approved ET practitioner. Our members are trained to utilize the IETS standardized trypsin wash protocol, so that embryos pose minimal to no risk for transmission of any known disease or pathogen. Adherence to high standards of quality control can be seen in our results.
Certified AETA practitioners are professionals and understand the importance of your herd’s genetic success, results and performance, and the product that enhances the bottom line for you and other producers around the world. The AETA Certification Program, established in 1985, maintains standards within the ET industry and ensures that certified practitioners meet or exceed these standards. Accuracy and completeness of all records pertaining to the parentage of the resulting offspring is an area in which certified ET practitioners excel. We recognize our responsibility and obligation to top performance.
In summary, AETA is the leader in the ET industry and honored to work with US breeders and their most elite genetics. The experience, quality of work, and professionalism of certified AETA members is recognized worldwide. We understand the processes that help to multiply a herd’s genetic success. We offer the most modern and advanced reproductive technologies and herd health management programs for your bovine, equine, and small ruminant needs. AETA-certified professionals are important team members for your herd’s reproductive success, and US genetics will continue to enhance the future of your herd for generations.
To learn more about AETA certification and our members, like us on Facebook, give us a call, and visit our website.
Written by Matt Iager, DVM