Women could be paid up to 1,000 pounds ($1,856) to donate their eggs to couples having in vitro fertilization treatment under a British proposal.
At present, egg donors are paid 15 pounds ($27.64) and expenses for each sample. Payments for sperm donation could also rise to up to 50 pounds ($92.14) a time.
Fertility campaigners said the proposed increase could help to address a shortage of egg donors. But critics said raising the financial ceiling is "ethically dubious," according to report in the Independent, and will put pressure on poorer women to undergo the painful donation for the money.
The proposals are in a consultation document from the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority.
More than 1,700 cycles of treatment using donated eggs were done in Britain in 2001, leading to 465 births. But a lack of public awareness means there are many more infertile couples in need.
© Copyright 2004 by United Press International
