Okay, so I read the article in The New York Times about egg donors and how ALL egg donors donate eggs for the money. I wanted to puke. I happen to know a lot of egg donors who didn't JUST do it for the money. Believe it or not some donors really do WANT to help people have babies. And I also happen to know from personal experience after 6 IVF cycles that this isn't exactly a fun, pain-free process and I think that monetary compensation or a gift (whatever you want to call it) is appropriate. But at what point is that compensation crossing a line? In the UK, donors cannot receive any compensation and as a result there are no egg donors. Clearly, some financial incentive must exist for people to be able to build their families through egg donation.
However, notwithstanding whatever The New York Times may think, I have never met a donor who asked for $50,000 to donate her eggs. I've heard about them from many sources, including from that famous argument on The View (and again I wanted to puke--so much judgment from people who know so little about what it's like to be infertile). These uber expensive donors may well exist, and they may have every right to ask for $50k (although I think the ASRM would have something to say about that), but I personally think they are urban legends.
What do you think about donor comp? Do you think it's fair to compensate donors? Do they get enough money? Too much money? Should it be taxable income (in all states but California it is not taxable income unless and until the IRS issues an opinion)?
When responding to this blog, please refrain from flaming anyone, legitimate opinion is what we're after here . . . lively discussion, but I will take down any comments that are offensive.
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