Any long term studies of what percent of these women later get cancer?

I work in research and there is a definite risk of exploitation when it comes to having people take part in research when they donate their time and energy.

I believe that asking women to sell their eggs for thousands of dollars is exploitative. If you were willing to donate your eggs for free, but would accept money for it, it's different.

I've just been in the situation where a friend of mine went so far as to contact the egg "donation" places and start the ball rolling to sell her eggs. She came our mentor in tears, completely stressed out, afraid of the medical procedures she might face, and desperate for money. She did not want to sell her eggs, but the enormous price they were fetching made her feel like it was an option she HAD to explore. It was a very exploitative experience for her. (Luckily, a student loan came through and she didn't have to go through the procedure.)

I don't think that egg donation is a bad thing. However, I think when a price tag is so high that people are willing to consider things they don't want to do, it becomes exploitative.

It's more than just "donating" your eggs and I dislike that they seem to want to make a complicated procedure look simple. If you can go into the situation knowing everything, all the positives and negatives, and still want to do it, I have no problem with that. But I do think that those who are asking for the "donation" are sugar-coating reality and I find major fault with that.

I've never done it, but I do know that it's an involved process---you have to take hormones for a few weeks to make you ovulate more than one egg, then they have to put you under to extract the eggs etc.

It's more akin to surgery and in that respect, if one wants to do it, she should do a lot of research and talk to her doctors before she chooses a company.

And the problem is---no one has done any long term studies.

Honestly, I've always considered egg donation as my last-resort income opportunity if, for some reason, I was severely in debt. I can't see myself doing it for any other reason (unless a friend was having trouble conceiving and wanted me to donate or something), though. The procedure is just too invasive and has too many risks for me to consider it anything less than a last resort.

That's just my two cents.

I don't believe it's exploitative inherently. There's an anthropologist (I believe) named Nancy Scheper-Hughes who does work on trafficking in organs. Some of her stuff is really interesting and could apply.

But I've also been broke and participated in medical research for money.

I do think it's interesting that legally, one can donate one's eggs for money if it is for producing a baby. However, one cannot legally donate one's eggs for money for stem cell research.

I keep seeing those ads too, and every couple of months the amount of cash they're offering ($100,000??? Really?!?!?) is so much that I get tempted, go and read about the procedure, and finally decide (again) that it's too physically and emotionally invasive for me to be worth that money.

So on one hand, I agree that the amount of money offered can border on the exploitative. I would never donate my eggs for free (except maybe to my sister), but I can see how a high enough cash reward would change my mind. If they start offering a million dollars, I'd probably line up.

But on the other hand... it is a painful and dangerous procedure, so why shouldn't women get compensated for their efforts? If the amount offered were much lower, it just wouldn't seem like fair compensation for the risks that women take and the suffering they endure in order to donate their eggs.

I would add that the description of anonymous egg donation that you quote in your post isn't the only way it happens. My understanding is that when folks use egg donors to conceive, the company they go through will usually arrange a contract with the donor and the recipient. Often the contact does involve anonymity -- the children who result from donation often do not have the right to find out who the egg donor was or contact that person. But, like adoption, some donations are "open" and can be negotiated so that the children can contact the donor and vice versa, or even that the donor can be part of the child's life. I have no idea how common this is, or how much power donors have in negotiating these contracts... but like adoption, there's no inherent reason that it has to be anonymous.

I don't know much about egg donor agencies, but so long as the women making this choice are well informed of the risks and of how physically and emotionally draining the procedure is, I don't see it as exploitative. Also, I completely disagree with the line "In addition to the horrific risks to themselves, women must consider that they are selling off their descendancy and a sibling of their future children." (I know it was a quote, and not necessarily the opinion of the poster.) You could use the same argument against adoption.

It's humorous that I read this article while I am in a hotel 3,000 miles away from home waiting for the egg retrieval procedure I'll be undergoing tomorrow.

I'm a student and have been well aware of the option to donate my eggs for a while now. The process has been long, but relatively easy. I did my research, talked to doctors, and ultimately I decided that the risk was nothing I was too concerned about. I mean, I'm more likely to die in a car accident on my way to school than suffer any serious negative consequences from this fairly simple procedure.

I spoke to my friends, my partner, my parents - everyone. Many people knew someone who had donated or received a donor's eggs and had nothing but positive things to say. That's when I decided to sign up. The daily injections, weekly pelvic exams, and abstinence from sex and alcohol for a few weeks is annoying, but I don't feel that it's been too much of a burden.

The money wasn't a huge issue. Of course it's a draw. I have a small amount of credit card debt I'd like to pay off and I'd like this venture to fund some equipment for a hopefully profitable artistic endeavor. But I figured that we all do what we can to get what we need in this economy. We take miserable, low paying jobs and suffer through it for the financial gain while risking our sanity. This is no different. Instead of harvesting my manual or intellectual labor, they're taking my DNA to help a family that wants to grow. Basically I like that I'll make a good deal of money for four weeks of work and a couple of paid trips to the city the recipients are from to meet with their doctors! I have wonderfully healthy genetics, and I feel like every woman should experience the gift of pregnancy if possible.

My father likes to joke that he should get a cut of the profit because, in his imagination, I'm selling off his grandchildren, but what makes a child yours? Your DNA helps, but I'm a firm believer that every child is a pretty blank canvas who will grow into a person based on it's environment, love, and support. That's what the recipient parents are there for.

I'm not trying to advertise egg donation. It's work, a little discomfort, and some MAYBE some unknown future risks*, but I feel that it's a great opportunity to make a little money while helping a family grow. Any woman considering it should take time and talk to their loved ones and doctors to decide if it's right for them.

* I can't remember where I read this, but someone conducted a self-reporting study on a sample of around 200 donors who donated in the 90s on the question of their fertility. Most were not trying to conceive but of those who did try to conceive had almost no problem getting pregnant in a year and having normal, healthy births.

I am 39 now and I donated my eggs in my late 20s - twice. Both times the donation process was anonymous but I believe my information is on file with the clinic (although I’ve moved a few times since then so they likely wouldn’t be able to find me now!) I live in Vancouver, BC and it was through a clinic in Washington State. I was well taken care of both times and it was a safe process. Sure the hormonal changes were challenging, but I suffered no side effects, no adverse health implications. The money I earned helped me to buy a vehicle, and since I was a broke student at the time, it helped out a lot. I had to go through some counselling beforehand to ensure I was emotionally prepared for the process. I was asked questions like “what if in 25 years I get a knock on my door from a young person who wants to where she/he came from,” and “what if I don’t?” My response to both was that it doesn’t matter what happens, I will deal with it if ever it comes. And if it doesn’t, that’s okay too. I also felt like I was born with around 40,000 eggs, I don’t need them all!

When I was leaving the clinic after donating the second time around, there were flowers waiting for me and a card from the couple, which said something like “we are eternally grateful for the gift you’ve given us.” It was very moving. I still have the card. I also learned during the second time donating that the couple I had assisted the first time I donated, were pregnant. Overall, the experience for me was overwhelmingly positive.

I remember considering it one time but then I realized my eggs probably wouldn't be consider good enough because of my history of depression.

While I have no personal experience with egg donation, I have attended conferences and seminars discussing the topic of donation for both reproductive medicine and research purposes for my work.

If you are donating with a responsible clinic the process is extremely lengthy and involves both physical and psychological screening to avoid a situation that would be problematic for either the donor or the recipient. Every physician has professional and moral obligations, many of which are legally binding, to ensure the best possible outcome for both patients, the recipient does not come before the donor. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) also maintains detailed information on every member to ensure standards, which includes reporting on the outcome of every donation and treatment so that patients can make informed decisions when considering a physician. Any negative outcomes can damage their reputation, raise their malpractice fees (if not incur a suit), and cost them and the recipient a great deal of time and energy. The technology and procedures have also been steadily improving over the years, and the risks of ovarian hyperstimulation and other complications have steadily declined as doctors become better at judging and timing the proper hormone doses for each patient.

All of that being said, it is still a very difficult and controversial issue. I don't know who is advertising, but I would exercise serious caution and care when following up, as these are often brokers, not physicians. It always pays to do your own research, some resources I know:

The ASRM on egg donation
http://www.asrm.org/Patients/topics/eggdonation.html

Another resource would be the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) http://www.acog.org/

I hope these are helpful, you're certainly right that it's not a simple issue of doctors taking advantage of young susceptible women, but it's so emotionally charged it's hard to find real information.

We fight like hell, kicking and screaming for REPRODUCTIVE CHOICE and the SECOND you make a choice that some other woman frowns upon you're some stupid little insolent child who's being taken advantage of? Really? You allow people to question the validity of your choice because there is a risk involved? Guess what? Ther eis risk involved with pregnancy, abortion, adoption, surrogacy, breastfeeding, but since when did we start letting people tell us - FEMINISTS- what exploits us?

As if when we are being exploited we are too stupid to realize it.

Pfft. Women don't need heroes to champion the welfare of their bodies, we need heroes to continue to champion the welfare of our right to make or NOT to make decisions such as these and do so without some self righteous criticism from others. Yes- there needs to be research- more research. Hell birth control, abortions, adoptions need MORE research into the long term lasting effects they all have.

Men donate sperm but think of the men who donate it? I haven’t had children so the ads get to me; “Under Thirty”…And I think how it’s so “sexy” (And don’t think I agree for one minute with the that and I had a friend as a teen who had her “32/ DD breasts reduced.) right now to look pregnant with big breasts…and I think how handmaidens are back…poor women being paid to carry fetuses for rich women…something I could never afford. And it all sends me into shock right back to being nothing but birth vessels…and I suspect some time not too far away it will be forced on us again.

In reply to saintcatherine, I'm actually pretty sure there is a process currently going on to compensate women who donate eggs for stem cell research. I began my paperwork for my first egg donation a few months ago and took a survey about it, and heard not long ago that it is either pending or already legal to compensate.

I also have to say that the idea of egg donation as inherently exploitative is a little, well, I want to say irritating but I'll go with insulting. I'd agree that more research is worth doing on the soundness of such procedures, as with anything, but the idea that women are being exploited by egg donation seems to ignore the fact that (a) not all women who donate eggs want children (and are secure in that decision) and (b) there is an infertile couple on the other side of this exchange. My mother has been one of these women on the other side, and as someone who doesn't plan to use my own eggs otherwise, it really makes me feel good to be helping someone who may have miscarried multiple times before. Not all of these agencies are crazy eugenicists (I'm average-looking and have my own set of health risks in my genes), and even though it is a bit skeezy that there are far more ads on my campus than on the subway, I don't necessarily believe that inherently makes these agencies some kind of organ farm.

Besides, the financial aspect begs the question of what else financially-stressed students to do pay for school. I have female friends enlisting in a military establishment that isn't exactly the most respectful of their bodies or abilities, because they want to reap the financial benefits. How would we compare this choice to egg donation? The main issue here is that students are over-charged for schooling in the US and so certain jobs and services are proffered to ease the burden. The better question is how we can alleviate this burden so that young women who may not want to donate (or take other not-so-fun jobs) can make the most sound choice. For now, I don't think it does us any good to deny women necessary agency in making their own choices about their bodies.

I actually am a huge proponent of egg donation. I can't use my eggs on my own due to a problem with my uterus but my eggs are still viable. I think that since I can't use them and some other person would be thrilled to have them, it would be selfish of me not to allow others to have them. Now that is a completely personal decision and I don't think its the decision every woman should take, but its the right one for me. Plus the money is really helpful. I am a college student and money is really tight. This allows me to not have to work full time while I am in college and still be able to afford to live.

As an adoptee, I've gotta ask, re: both sperm and egg donation: What about the kids? Will the offspring of donors ever gain rights to accurate birth certificates, or will they too be expected to shut up and be grateful for existing?

I also donated my eggs three times in the 90s. First two times I was in graduate school and in desperate need of money, as well as always having liked the idea. I wasn't ready for kids, but I did my research and thought it was a good idea. The third time was when I was breaking up with my first husband and needed money to move out.

I went through a very well known, big name hospital in NYC, and everyone there was very nice and insisted on counseling, plus I took the MMPI, which is a personality test.

I didn't feel exploited at all, and I would be very willing to participate in follow up studies.

It really depends on the person, whether or not this is something that they want to do or not. I don't think anyone should be coerced into giving their eggs, overtly or covertly, but shooting yourself up with needles and going for sonograms every other day is no picnic and should be compensated.

If a kid ever came to me? I've thought about it, and I would be very open about my family medical history and be happy to meet them, but I am not the parent. The people who raised them, who wanted a child enough to go through the egg donation process, those are the parents!

To PixieCorpse above: Since the donor does not carry the pregnancy to term--who is the mother? The egg donor or the recipient? I think that the recipient is the mother, even though she is not using her own eggs. She is the one who is going to wipe the runny noses and watch first steps. Not the donor.

I've always found the argument "you're selling your kids!" hilarious. I slough off an egg a month; am I wasting my future children? Seriously, now. Should I have a little funeral every month? Try CPR on my tampon?

I donated several times a couple of years ago and had absolutely no medical trouble with it; of course, I could get cancer in twenty years from it, but from the research I've read it doesn't seem likely (my grandmother's newly discovered ovarian cancer is a more likely proximate cause). As I see it, I helped someone who really, really wanted to bear a child do so, which felt great. Personally, I never want to bear children, so I'd give up an ovary if someone needed it. I'd adopt if I ever changed my mind and wanted kids, but this is very unlikely.

And as someone who works in an abortion clinic, the whole "infertility!!" scare tactic is very, very familiar. Women who transgress reproductively by "wasting" a viable pregnancy in an abortion or "selling" their future children are punished by the spector of not being able to conceive when they want children themselves. In the case of abortion, this is clearly bullshit (and I tell at least one woman a week who thinks she'll never conceive again so), and I've not read anything that would back up an increased chance of infertility in egg donors. It's a revenge fantasy on the part of those who resent or disapprove of certain behaviors, and it's not cool.

There are a lots of sticky, uncomfortable situations in and around reproductive technology: is it more choice and freedom, or is it exploitation and the commodification of women's bodies? I think it's both, and often more one than the other in the different situations that come up. I'm glad we're discussing it.

I always have to ask-why is it okay for men to use their body to make money-physical labor, or to donate sperm(admittedly now that's not paid or not paid much, but there used to be compensation, I believe) but when women do it it's exploitative? I think that's pretty sexist and "aww, poooor widdle gwrls don't know when they're being used" Now, that doesn't mean exploitation can't happen, and I do think the best way to avoid that is most of the things feminism already stands for-give women economic and personal autonomy and authority. If we had any kind of wealth parity, the income wouldn't be coercive. Though I do belive-if this is what a woman in a particular situation finds the best way to make money-believe her. Get good options on the table for everyone so that the best of the options available isn't bad, and do saftey research, but really-what is a woman who doesn't want children losing when she donates her eggs?

I've thought about donating my eggs and from what I've read theres not a huge risk from the hormones. I dont want kids, so a few extra dollars would be nice for something I get rid of anyways. the only reason I havent is because of the effects the hormones can have on a person. I'm not really the emotional type and would hate to get all soppy, ect. I dont know how the hormones make you feel so thats the only reason I havent (that AND time).