Dec 30, 2008 3:09 pm US/Eastern
The Egg-Donor Business Is Booming
Women have reported payments between $1100 and $7300 for their eggs.
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
As the economy continues to tumble towards depths not seen since in decades, some women are turning to a new source to help increase their income by donating their eggs.
Courtney Smith, 26, is a wine steward at a high-end restaurant. She explained that with the economy hurting her business, she volunteered to donate her eggs, which she did about two years ago when money was very tight.
"I was paid $7,000," Smith said. "It felt good. I mean, it feels good to have money, and I paid off a student loan".
Smith was chosen to donate her eggs after submitting information about herself. After she was picked, she took a round of hormones for two weeks to stimulate ovulation. Several weeks later, her eggs were taken out, and she was eventually compensated; in turn, a couple received her eggs.
Donors typically are 18 to early-30s, when women are most fertile and eggs are healthiest. They must pass medical and psychological tests before brokers and clinics shop their information among prospective parents.
Women who donated their eggs reported payments ranging from about $1,100 to $7,300. For some women, money was their sole motivation, others said they did it purely out of altruism.
But, some don't think the selling of eggs for money is a wise move. Debora Spar, author of "The Baby Business" said she'd never let her daughter take part in the program. "I worry that women are deciding to sell their eggs too quickly," Spar said. "That they're being driven by the financial concerns here.'
Spar said there is a concern for women's health, because ovaries can be over stimulated and that can be dangerous. "It's a woman giving birth to a child who is genetically the child of another woman - it's a sale of our most intimate product."
The agency where Smith registered said they've seen the number of women wanting to donate double, and they think it's wonderful to give someone a child if they can't produce on their own.
Kathy Benardo, runs an egg donor agency, said, 'I don't want people to lose sight that it is a treatment for infertility. Infertility is a disease and this is one of the most effect treatments there are."
Smith said she has no emotional connection with her eggs. Recently, she was matched with another couple, and may be paid $8,000. She's just one of many women who may take advantage of such a program to raise money.
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