A fertility firm in UK has been slammed for targeting 'financially vulnerable' Cambridge University students by offering them up to 750 pounds to egg donors.
Egg Donation
The term ‘Egg Donation’ is commonly used to refer to the contribution of her eggs by a woman to another, who is incapable of producing her own.
The term ‘Egg Donation’ is commonly used to refer to the contribution of her eggs by a woman to another, who is incapable of producing her own.
The leaflets were produced by Altrui, an egg broking company based in Hawes, North Yorkshire, the Daily Mail reported.
Critics warned that young women are often unaware of the risks of egg donation, and a fertility expert said the firm's tactics were 'unacceptable'.
Infertility - Causes - Diagnosis - Treatment - FAQs
Infertility is a condition wherein couples fail to achieve pregnancy or if the woman has been unable to carry a pregnancy that results in a live birth.
Infertility is a condition wherein couples fail to achieve pregnancy or if the woman has been unable to carry a pregnancy that results in a live birth.
At the beginning of the summer term two weeks ago, Cambridge students found the company's leaflets stuffed in their pigeonholes, asking: "If you are compassionate, kind, healthy and between 18 and 35 years old, could you help us? We can imagine no greater gift than the chance to love a child."
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Artificial Insemination - Milestone Types Intrauterine FAQs
Artificial Insemination is a medical procedure usually used to treat infertility. In this procedure, sperm is placed into a female's vagina, uterus or fallopian tubes by artificial means.
Artificial Insemination is a medical procedure usually used to treat infertility. In this procedure, sperm is placed into a female's vagina, uterus or fallopian tubes by artificial means.
On the firm's website, potential donors are told: "It is illegal to accept any payment for your egg donation in the UK.
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Invitro Fertilisation - 3D
Interactive section of Medindia gives explanation for Invitro Fertilisation - 3D.
Interactive section of Medindia gives explanation for Invitro Fertilisation - 3D.
"The Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority recently reviewed the situation. In recognition of the inconvenience, commitment and time given by an egg donor in going through the donation process, they raised the maximum compensation to 750 pounds. This came into effect on April 1, 2012,"it added.
Last night the medical director of Create fertility clinic in London, Geeta Nargund, said: "Young women students who are financially vulnerable are being targeted to have unnecessary medical procedures that carry health risks. It's completely unacceptable.
"I hoped this would never happen in this country, but we have imported this tactic from the US," she said.
Josephine Quintavalle of the campaign group Comment on Reproductive Ethics said: "This is not donation, this is the buying and selling of human eggs.
"It raises the issue of eugenics because, just like in the States, students are being targeted because they have higher IQs. More brains equals better value.
"There is not enough discussion about the risks to healthy women who have to take serious drugs they don't need, which have risks to them and possibly any children born as a result," Quintavalle added.
Professor Adam Balen, of the British Fertility Society, said egg donation must remain an altruistic activity.
He said: "It is not appropriate to target women in this way. Egg donation should only be offered by appropriately recognized clinics with full counseling. Women should come forward voluntarily."
However, the founder of Altrui, Alison Bagshawe, said the couple had asked if they could distribute the firm's leaflets themselves.
She said they had obtained permission from the students' union and all Cambridge colleges except one, where the dean said he feared the leaflets could upset any student who had suffered a miscarriage or had an abortion.
Source-ANI
