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<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message -----
<DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A
title=david.king@hgalert.org href="mailto:david.king@hgalert.org">David King</A>
</DIV>
<DIV><B>To:</B> <A title=gailchester@blueyonder.co.uk
href="mailto:gailchester@blueyonder.co.uk">gailchester@blueyonder.co.uk</A>
</DIV>
<DIV><B>Sent:</B> Monday, January 17, 2011 2:17 PM</DIV>
<DIV><B>Subject:</B> Re: for feminist lists latest version</DIV></DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3>Do you care if young
women, such as students with massive debts, get sucked into giving their eggs to
infertile women, to earn some cash, and end up with their health damaged, whilst
the IVF industry continues to make a fortune?<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>That's not a theoretical scenario, it's
what happens already in Eastern Europe, and now there are plans to do it
here. The health risks are caused by the powerful hormones which are
used to force ovaries to produce large numbers of eggs.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT
size=3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3>If you care about
the commodification of women's bodies, this is another way in which corporations
exploit us, but there's a chance to stop it happening, <U>if you act
now</U>.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>No2Eggsploitation, an
independent feminist network, is campaigning against the plans by the Human
Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) to introduce cash payments for egg
donors.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Our press release is below,
plus coverage from the Guardian and the BBC today.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT
size=3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3>You can let the HFEA
know your views by going to www.hfea.gov.uk/donationreview.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>But don't believe what you're told in
their consultation document about the health risks, which are much greater than
they say.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Later this week we will
be publishing a briefing on the issue, but you can get more background on our
blog, no2eggsploitation.wordpress.com.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>PLEASE ACT NOW and support our campaign by contacting us at
no2eggsploitation@riseup.net</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoBodyText><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">No2Eggsploitation and Human
Genetics Alert<o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoBodyText><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoBodyText><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">Media
release<o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoBodyText><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoBodyText><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">Embargo: 00.01am
17<SUP>th</SUP> January 2011<o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoBodyText><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoBodyText><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">HFEA plans for egg donor
compensation will lead to exploitation of women<o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><B><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">Ethics
takes second place to free market dogma and IVF industry demands</SPAN></B><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">"HFEA
plans to allow financial compensation for egg donors will lead to the
exploitation of young women in financial stress," said Dr Alex Plows,
spokesperson for No2Eggsploitation (1) today.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>“These financial incentives will induce
women students with massively increased debts, and others, to take serious
health risks (2), and it is inevitable that many will be harmed.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Another problem is that less well off
women will be unable to afford the increased price of donated eggs, and NHS IVF
services will be priced out of the market (3), creating further
inequalities.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We must not allow IVF
business interests and free-market dogma to overthrow basic ethical
values.”<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">Although
it claims to be neutral, the HFEA's bias, in favour of increased financial
compensation as the best way to boost donor numbers, has been clear from many
internal documents, and from the initial statement by Lisa Jardine, in July 2009
(4), in favour of straightforward payment for eggs (which is in fact illegal).
However, they are hampered by the EU Tissues and Cells Directive, which was
introduced to stop the international black market in human organs, and which
bans financial incentives for donors.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>The concern about harm to donors is not theoretical: many Eastern
European women have been harmed through serving as paid egg donors for Western
European fertility tourists (5).<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>The HFEA has acknowledged concerns about such 'eggsploitation' as a
central reason for not allowing compensation (beyond reimbursement of expenses)
in all its previous reports on this issue.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Yet, astonishingly, the current consultation document does not even
mention this concern, and does not adequately describe the health risks to
donors; nor does it mention the internationally agreed principle that human
tissue should not be a source of financial gain.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">Because
the EU Directive bans financial incentives, the HFEA's argues that it does not
want to create incentives, but rather to ‘remove disincentives’ for altruistic
donors.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>But there is no evidence
whatever that the HFEA's target group - altruistic donors who are nonetheless
reluctant to donate without cash compensation - even exists. Their previous
report in 2006 (6) questioned whether offering altruistic donors cash payments
would succeed in boosting donor numbers, and their research for this
consultation agreed, pointing out that many altruistic donors are offended by
the idea and would be put off (7).<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">The IVF
industry, which is the only significant source of support for the HFEA's plans,
is not interested in such subtleties.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>It simply believes in the free-market dogma that financial incentives are
needed; it clearly wants to reclaim the business that has recently gone to
Spain, where donors are paid compensation of up to 1000 Euro.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Yet evidence from Spain shows that, not
surprisingly, most egg donors there are primarily interested in the money
(8).<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Thus, despite the HFEA's
unconvincing fig leaf, introducing </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US"
lang=EN-US>significant </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">compensation
is bound to recruit exactly the type of donor it says it does not want to
encourage.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We believe that
resources would be better spent on campaigns to recruit altruistic donors than
on offering them financial sweeteners (9).<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoBodyText2><FONT size=3>Human Genetics
Alert will tomorrow publish a briefing which analyses and refutes the arguments
in favour of compensation, and shows how the HFEA understates the risks of egg
donation, how, over the last 10 years it has engineered a slippery slope towards
ever increasing payments for donors, and how this step will in turn move us
nearer to a market for organs.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">For
further information or to arrange an interview, email <A
href="">no2eggsploitation@riseup.net</A>, </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US"
lang=EN-US>or call Dr Alex Plows (07775 603341) or Dr David King, Director of
Human Genetics Alert (020 7502 7516).</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<H1 style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT size=3>Notes for editors</FONT></H1>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">1.
No2Eggsploitation is a network of feminists opposed to the commercialisation of
egg donation.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Like Human Genetics
Alert, (which is an independent watchdog group), it supports abortion
rights.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">2. The
HFEA quotes a 1-2% risk of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome, arising form the
powerful hormones used in IVF, but its own academic review says that the risk is
3-8%, and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists says that one
third of women will suffer some symptoms.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>The number of women who have died from OHSS is unclear, since no good
records are kept, but the HFEA review suggests it may be 1-2 women per year in
Britain.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> In addition there are as yet
unknown long term risks of breast, ovarian and endometrial cancers. </SPAN>Later
this week we will be publishing a detailed briefing on the
issue.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">3. The
HFEA's own research has mentioned this as a serious concern (HFEA paper 528 Para
10.15 <A
href="">http://www.hfea.gov.uk/docs/2009-12-09_Authority_papers_-_528_SEED_Evaluation.pdf</A>
), although the current consultation document fails to even mention the
issue.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In Spain, where donors are
paid up to 1000 Euro, public hospitals, which cannot afford this, are unable to
attract egg donors (see ref in Note 8)<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">4. <A
href="">http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article6728391.ece</A><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">5. See
for example, </SPAN><A href=""><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1339041/The-brutal-fertility-factories-trading-British-mothers-dreams.html</FONT></A><FONT
size=3 face="Times New Roman">, or </FONT><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><A
href="">http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-396220/The-misery-baby-trade.html</A>.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>One particularly outrageous aspect of
the HFEA's behaviour in the current debate is that it has not even paid
lipservice to this issue, preferring to argue that the problem with fertility
tourism is that British women seeking eggs may have a less good experience in
foreign clinics, and that children may not be able to find their donor in
future, because donors are anonymous outside the UK.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">6. The
SEED report (<A
href="">http://www.hfea.gov.uk/docs/SEEDReport05.pdf</A>)<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">7. HFEA
paper 528 (see note 3), para 10.14.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>The HFEA has not been able to cite any donors calling for more
compensation as the reason for launching this
consultation.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">8. In
Spain </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US"
lang=EN-US>the most usual profile of donors is a university student, between 20
and 25 years old, and, also immigrant women, mainly coming from Eastern Europe.
Some of these donors are invited to undergo up to four ovarian stimulation
cycles in a year, which is very dangerous (</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><A
href=""><B><SPAN style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US"
lang=EN-US>http://www.elpais.com/articulo/salud/Donacion/ovulos/elpsalpor/20060328elpepisal_4/Tes</SPAN></B></A>)</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US"
lang=EN-US>.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Another indicator of
donor motivation there is that, as in the USA, where donors can receive $50,000
for eggs if they are ‘genetically superior’ (high SAT scores, athletic and
attractive), there was a sharp rise in women offering to donate when the
financial crisis hit in 2008 (</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><A
href="">http://www.elpais.com/articulo/Comunidad/Valenciana/crisis/dispara/donaciones/ovulos/elpepuespval/20081205elpval_1/Tes</A>).<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>HGA has English translations of these
articles.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">9.Laura
Witjens of the National Gamete Donation Trust, which campaigns to recruit
donors, recently stated at a meeting of the Progress Education Trust (Paying egg
donors: a child at any price? October 20 2010) that more donors could be
recruited if the Government, which funds the Trust, were to make more money
available for their campaigns.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Fertility views sought on egg donations within
families</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Watchdog wants opinions on family donations as questions
are raised over compensation to donors</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Sarah Boseley, health editor</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">The Guardian,<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>Monday 17 January 2011</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">The HFEA is calling for the widest possible participation
in the public consultation. Photograph: Vincenzo Lombardo/Getty
Images</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Public attitudes to childbirth are to be tested tomorrow
in a consultation launched by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority,
which will ask whether it is acceptable for a baby to be born, through egg
donation, to a woman who is also its grandmother.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">The authority is calling for the widest possible
participation in the public consultation on the use of donor eggs and sperm to
enable infertile couples to have a baby. Views will be sought on whether donors,
who are in short supply, should receive more money than they currently receive
in compensation for loss of earnings and expenses. But the HFEA also wants to
know whether rules should be brought in to prevent close relatives – who would
be forbidden by law from marrying – from donating eggs or sperm to each other.
It is not uncommon for a sister to donate an egg to her sister - the child is
then the genetic daughter and niece of the donor.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">But, the consultation will ask, should - as happened
recently - a woman be allowed to donate eggs to ensure her infertile daughter
can have a baby, when the ensuing child would be both her daughter and her
granddaughter?</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Prof Lisa Jardine, chair of the HFEA, said that the
increasing use of fertility treatment and the increasing openness about the
children it produces meant that the whole of society ought to be involved in
deciding what was acceptable. "I'm a good example of a generation whose children
played with other children in the full understanding that all of those children
were of heterosexual couples and had been produced … by a conventional method of
reproduction.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">"Many of them had not been. We didn't know and the
community didn't know."</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">She cited a New York Times Review cover, which featured
two babies described as "twiblings" - they had one father but separate surrogate
mothers and were born within days of each other. "The point I really want to
make is that this of importance to all of us. These are new kinds of families.
They are populating our communities. Genetically, the consequences for the
community are bound to become more complicated."</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Those parents who now have small children may one day
have to explain to them what one of their friends means when he says he is
donor-conceived, she said.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">"Donation is part of all our lives. Everybody needs to
have a view. It is about all of us. It's about new, emerging types of families
and how they will impact on all families," she said.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Only about 12% of fertility treatments involve donated
eggs or sperm, but the HFEA believes that will rise, or would if there were
sufficient donors to fill demand.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">The public consultation that begins today asks about
reimbursement for donors. At the moment, HFEA rules allow compensation for
expenses and loss of earnings up to £250, but not for inconvenience as some
other European countries do. In Spain, egg donors receive around £765 and sperm
donors £40 per sample. While the HFEA does not want to provide a financial
incentive, because donation must be based on altruism, clinics say some donors
are left out of pocket. The authority wants to know whether a lump sum should be
paid, if the system should be less complicated, and what compensation should be
offered.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">However the campaign group No2Eggsploitation said any
plan to allow financial compensation for egg donors would "lead to the
exploitation of young women in financial stress". Another question is over the
number of families a single sperm donor is allowed to create. At the moment, the
limit is ten, but because of delays in establishing whether the woman becomes
pregnant and gives birth to a healthy baby, in practice sperm donors often help
no more than two or three families.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Inter-family donation is popular because it maintains
genetic links, but the consultation asks for opinions on the social and ethical
outcomes. Options that will be canvassed are a ban on the mixing of sperm and
eggs between close relatives (those who would otherwise be banned from having
sex with each other) or a ban only on the mixing of sperm and eggs between
genetic relatives.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">The consultation site, which will be open for three
months, can be found at www.hfea.co.uk/donationreview.</FONT></P>
<DIV
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class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P
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class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P></DIV>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><A href=""><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-12193598</FONT></A></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">17 January 2011 </FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Lisa Jardine starts egg donor compensation
discussion</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">By James Gallagher</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Health reporter, BBC news</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Egg donor expenses 'under review'</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">'Why sperm donors should be paid more'</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Mother to freeze eggs for toddler</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">People are being asked if sperm and egg donors should be
given more money.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Demand for donor treatment is far greater than supply and
the body which regulates treatment is concerned about couples looking
abroad.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA)
has launched a public consultation to see how regulation of donation can be
improved.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Some campaigners have described any exchange of money for
eggs or sperm as an inducement to sell body parts.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">The HFEA is concerned about long waiting lists for egg
donation in the UK.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">It says some couples are waiting up to five years and
this is one of the reasons people are looking abroad.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">More money for donors?</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">An EU directive means donors cannot be "paid", but they
can be "compensated" to cover expenses and loss of earnings.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">The rules have been interpreted differently across
Europe. In the UK, the limit is £250. Egg donors in Spain can get
£765.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Professor Lisa Jardine, head of the HFEA, said Spain had
higher donation rates, but that it might be due to cultural reasons.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">She added that the level of compensation will be
discussed in the consultation: "The system is hard to administer and some people
have donated at a loss, the law allows us to be more generous."</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Alan Thornhill, the scientific director at the London
Bridge Fertility, Gynaecology and Genetics Centre, said: "The sector is crying
out for a simple, transparent compensation system ensuring that donors are not
left out of pocket or put off by unnecessary bureaucracy.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Josephine Quintavalle, founder of Comment on Reproductive
Ethics, opposed the idea: "They haven't got enough eggs so they're upping the
ante.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">"It's an inducement to sell body parts, I think it's
humbug trying to call it donation or compensation.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">"The best way to solve the problem is to encourage women
to have children earlier and society needs to change to support
that."</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Anonymity for sperm donors will not be
considered</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">The family factor</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">The consultation will also look at how many different
families can use one donor's eggs or sperm.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">The current limit is 10, to reduce the risk of children
from the same donor unknowingly starting a relationship.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Donations within families will also be
discussed.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Last week, Penny Jarvis from Sheffield, said she wanted
to freeze her eggs for her infertile daughter.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Professor Jardine said this could become more common in
the future and she wants the consultation to consider the social implications,
such as a child's grandmother also being their genetic mother.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Dr Allan Pacey, senior lecturer in andrology at the
University of Sheffield, said: "Donation issues raise many ethical issues for
some people and so it is important that they engage with this consultation so we
know what UK citizens think about these issues.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">"That way, we can set a new framework that should serve
us well for the next decade, and hopefully improve the opportunities for UK
couples who need donor sperm, eggs and embryos to start a family."</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Dr Alex Lows, spokesperson for No2Eggsploitation, said:
"HFEA plans to allow financial compensation for egg donors will lead to the
exploitation of young women in financial stress.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">"These financial incentives will induce women students
with massively increased debts, and others, to take serious health risks and it
is inevitable that many will be harmed."</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Donors have not been entitled to anonymity since 2005 and
it's thought the decision may have put some people off, however, the issue will
not be debated in the consultation.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">The conclusions of the three month consultation will be
presented at the HFEA board meeting in July.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">The future of the regulator is uncertain after the
government announced it would be scrapped in this parliament.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Professor Jardine said the HFEA will continue until at
least 2013, and that any recommendations would be in place by then.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<DIV
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class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P></DIV>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><A href=""><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1347801/IVF-egg-donors-paid-thousands-watchdog-wants-lift-250-limit-compensation.html</FONT></A></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">IVF egg donors 'to be paid thousands': Watchdog wants to
lift £250 limit on compensation</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">By JENNY HOPE</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Last updated at 12:12 AM on 17th January 2011</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Comments (12)</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Add to My Stories</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Pitter patter: Women are set to receive thousands of
pounds for donating their eggs under a plan to help more infertile women
conceive (posed by model)</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Women are set to receive thousands of pounds for donating
their eggs under a plan to help more infertile women conceive.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">It would remove the current limit of £250 compensation
for undergoing the complex process, which involves taking powerful and
potentially dangerous drugs and having a ‘harvesting’ operation.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">The plans, unveiled today in a consultation by the Human
Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, would aim to prevent hundreds of
‘fertility tourists’ being driven abroad every year because of the drastic
shortage of eggs in this country.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Sperm donors could also be compensated for their
‘inconvenience’.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Fertility doctors backed the move, but ethics groups
expressed concern that women’s bodies were being turned into
‘commodities’.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">The move comes after a High Court judge opened the way
last year for surrogate mothers to be paid, a practice which had been
banned.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">The fertility watchdog, the HFEA, is now reviewing its
policy after conceding that compensation rules are too complex.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">In the United States, women can be paid up to £5,000 for
allowing their eggs to be harvested.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">European law forbids cash payments but permits
compensation, and the HFEA says it could be ‘more generous’ within current
legislation. The change would not need to be approved by Parliament.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">The small amount of cash given to donors has been blamed
for the shortage of eggs in Britain, though a change in UK law which requires
the identity of sperm or egg donors to be revealed to their children is also
blamed by some experts for long waiting lists.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Dr Allan Pacey, a Sheffield University fertility expert,
believes that British women donors should receive at least as much as those in
Spain, who get around £765. </FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">‘The experience of Spain has shown that it is a
reasonable amount that is not going to corrupt people,’ he said.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Privately, some clinics expect a far higher figure to be
set in Britain.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">But Dr David King, director of Human Genetics Alert, an
independent watchdog group, said: ‘We believe it is simply wrong to turn human
eggs into commodities.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">‘This is a step towards a market in organs, with all the
exploitation that entails.’</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Dr Alex Plows of campaign group No2Eggsploitation said:
‘Financial compensation for egg donors will induce students with debts, and
others, to take serious health risks and it is inevitable that many will be
harmed.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">‘Another problem is that less well-off women will be
unable to afford the increased price of donated eggs, and NHS IVF services will
be priced out of the market, creating further inequalities.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">‘We must not allow IVF business interests and free-market
dogma to overthrow basic ethical values.’ Critics caution that, unlike sperm
donation, giving eggs is a potentially dangerous procedure.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Drugs used to boost egg production can cause ovarian
hyperstimulation syndrome, a potentially fatal condition, and the retrieval of
eggs using a long needle can be excruciatingly painful.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">There are also fears of commercialisation, with eggs
donated by beauty queens or Oxbridge graduates commanding the highest
prices.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">It is argued that more should be done to cure infertility
and to encourage women to have children when they are young and their eggs still
in good condition.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Although the HFEA is under threat as part of the
Government’s bonfire of the quangos, it remains in charge of fertility rules and
even if abolished, its consultation would be of key importance in deciding
future policy.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">The process, which uses a series of questionnaires on the
HFEA website, finishes in April and decisions on changes in policy will be made
in July.</FONT></P></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>