Is it unethical to use donor eggs?

[Anonymous]

Why would egg donation be more dangerous than egg retrieval, which is so common? Is it that the women are younger so likely to have OHSS? I had that 10 years ago and it was hell but didn’t lead to long term issues, afaik.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why would egg donation be more dangerous than egg retrieval, which is so common? Is it that the women are younger so likely to have OHSS? I had that 10 years ago and it was hell but didn’t lead to long term issues, afaik.

This article makes the (incorrect) assumption that all women undergoing IVF are over 35 (not true), and that they're all infertile anyways (not true), so that they're fundamentally different than donors. Completely ignores that a significant percentage women undergo IVF because of male factor issues with their partner.

Maybe there are issues due to hormones, maybe not....but this article is sooooo poorly researched and incorrect that I certainly wouldn't cite this article as evidence for why IVF/egg donation is problematic.

[Anonymous]

I was thinking it would be unfair to the child as it can be similar to a closed adoption.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why would egg donation be more dangerous than egg retrieval, which is so common? Is it that the women are younger so likely to have OHSS? I had that 10 years ago and it was hell but didn’t lead to long term issues, afaik.

This article makes the (incorrect) assumption that all women undergoing IVF are over 35 (not true), and that they're all infertile anyways (not true), so that they're fundamentally different than donors. Completely ignores that a significant percentage women undergo IVF because of male factor issues with their partner.

Maybe there are issues due to hormones, maybe not....but this article is sooooo poorly researched and incorrect that I certainly wouldn't cite this article as evidence for why IVF/egg donation is problematic.

It doesn’t seem to be an article but a “viewpoint” piece

[Anonymous]

Yes. Like surrogacy it exploits the bodies of desperate women.

[Anonymous]

If there is a risk from egg donation, isn't that the same risk that is undertaken by women/couples/families that use IVF for conception? They frequently use the exact same hormonal therapy given to both those struggling with infertility and needing IVF and those who are donating eggs.

But, no, I don't think it is unethical. It is important to tell donors the potential risks, but in the end, they are adults who can make their own medical decisions. As long as it is an informed decision, it is theirs to make.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think so. There is too much of a cancer risk. I can’t willingly pay someone to go through a process that has a risk of causing them cancer.

Most ppl looking at donor eggs have already done multiple rounds of IVF themselves
So they have taken on those risks as well. It's not trying to pass off the risk (if any) to someone else.

OP, I don't think there is anything I ethical about it. I say this as someone who did IVF (so experienced the hormones and procedure etc) myself, with my own eggs.

[Anonymous]

Donation is about giving, not selling. Do the daughters of the rich ever sell their eggs or rent their wombs? Or work in adult entertainment? Could there be an element of exploitation? I will strongly advise my own daughters not to jeopardize their health in order to help someone fill a psychological need.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think so. There is too much of a cancer risk. I can’t willingly pay someone to go through a process that has a risk of causing them cancer.

Most ppl looking at donor eggs have already done multiple rounds of IVF themselves
So they have taken on those risks as well. It's not trying to pass off the risk (if any) to someone else.

OP, I don't think there is anything I ethical about it. I say this as someone who did IVF (so experienced the hormones and procedure etc) myself, with my own eggs.

Taking risks in order to have a child of your own is one thing. Taking risks for money is something else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Donation is about giving, not selling. Do the daughters of the rich ever sell their eggs or rent their wombs? Or work in adult entertainment? Could there be an element of exploitation? I will strongly advise my own daughters not to jeopardize their health in order to help someone fill a psychological need.

They also don't work as janitors or in any number of jobs that are unpleasant or dangerous. Where do you draw the line?

[Anonymous]

ART use is associated with a higher risk of childhood cancer.

They found that children born via assisted reproduction technology (ART) conception have a higher risk of any type of childhood cancer, as well as leukemia and hepatic tumors, compared with children born via either natural conception or parental subfertility.

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2795805

I think there are significant ethical questions about conception associated with a significantly increased risk of cancer, but that’s not limited to egg donation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:ART use is associated with a higher risk of childhood cancer.

They found that children born via assisted reproduction technology (ART) conception have a higher risk of any type of childhood cancer, as well as leukemia and hepatic tumors, compared with children born via either natural conception or parental subfertility.

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2795805

I think there are significant ethical questions about conception associated with a significantly increased risk of cancer, but that’s not limited to egg donation.

Yikes that is scary. I have a 1yo ART baby

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:ART use is associated with a higher risk of childhood cancer.

They found that children born via assisted reproduction technology (ART) conception have a higher risk of any type of childhood cancer, as well as leukemia and hepatic tumors, compared with children born via either natural conception or parental subfertility.

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2795805

I think there are significant ethical questions about conception associated with a significantly increased risk of cancer, but that’s not limited to egg donation.

Yikes that is scary. I have a 1yo ART baby

It is still very rare!

[Anonymous]

Since they’re informed fully and making their own decision, I don’t think it’s unethical.

In fact I considered donating my eggs as well for most of my 20s until I decided to have kids. Before then, I didn’t expect or want kids but wanted to continue my genetic lineage, while helping out a family who valued my genes and education. Win win!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was thinking it would be unfair to the child as it can be similar to a closed adoption.

Not all egg donation is anonymous. We did open egg donation so our donor can know our child and our child can know the egg donor.