Egg donors are suing the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) by joining forces in an attempt to “set a price” for gamete donation.
They wish to highlight the recommendations of the ASRM which are based on reimbursement for sperm donation but which “do not reflect the significance of egg donation”. The egg donation procedure is “more painful and has greater risks”. Compensation should therefore be taken into consideration.
The organisations under attack have responded as follows, “If the compensation is too high, donors will be tempted to lie about their medical history”. Furthermore, this “will encourage women to donate without thinking about the future”. As far as Arthur Caplan, Professor of Bioethics at the University of New York is concerned, “Donations should not be transformed into sales. The opening of a free market in human eggs could increase fraud”.
The egg donation market is not regulated in the United States. Most clinics follow ASRM recommendations. However, compensation could increase to $75,000.
The next hearing is scheduled for December and the case will be heard in court next year.
Bionews (2/11/2015)