Compensating Egg Donors: Equal Pay for Equal Time?

Abstract

To the Editor: The ability to achieve pregnancy after egg donation represents an important recent medical advance, not only because of its scientific merit, but also because of the way in which it benefits society. A woman with ovarian failure or known genetic disease can have a normal child if a healthy egg is available through egg donation. However, the word “donation” is creating a stumbling block. The American Fertility Society (AFS) clearly stated in its 1990 ethical advisory committee report that “there should be no compensation to the donor for the egg.” Yet the next sentence states, “This does… © 1993, Massachusetts Medical Society. All rights reserved.