Payment for Egg Donation and Surrogacy
Journal Title
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Issue Date
2004-09
Authors
Steinbock, Bonnie
Publisher
Keywords
Egg donation, ethics, commodification, payment, coercion, exploitation, informed consent, altruism, families
Abstract
This article examines the ethics of egg donation. It begins by looking at objections to noncommercial
gamete donation, and then takes up criticism of commercial egg donation.
After discussing arguments based on concern for offspring, inequality, commodification, exploitation
of donors, and threats to the family, I conclude that some payment to donors is ethically acceptable.
Donors should not be paid for their eggs, but rather they should be compensated for the burdens
of egg retrieval. Making the distinction between compensation for burdens and payment for a product
has the advantages of limiting payment, not distinguishing between donors on the basis of their traits,
and ensuring that donors are paid regardless of the number or quality of eggs retrieved.